Tarragon (French) in Zone 8a & 8b
Artemisia dracunculus
Yes, tarragon (French) grows in zones 8a and 8b. Set out nursery plants Apr 1–Apr 8.
When to plant tarragon (French) in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Buy as a start: Buy as a nursery start and transplant outside. It's slow or unreliable from seed, so most gardeners skip seed-starting it entirely.
| Start indoors | Not started from seed; buy as a nursery start |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 5–Jun 12 (~65 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-2.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of tarragon (French) in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilApr 8–Apr 15
- BorageMar 25–Apr 1
- RosemaryApr 8–Apr 15
- DillMar 18–Mar 25
- CatmintApr 1–Apr 8
- Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)Apr 1–Apr 8
True French tarragon is prized for its anise-like flavor, and it comes with a specific catch worth knowing before you buy: French tarragon is sterile and cannot be grown from seed at all. Anything sold as tarragon seed is the milder, less flavorful Russian tarragon instead.
How tarragon (French) fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Tarragon (French) needs about 65 days from transplant to first harvest.
Tarragon (French) planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Buy as a start | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Aug 10–Aug 17 |
| 4a & 4b | Buy as a start | May 22–May 29 | Jul 26–Aug 2 |
| 5a & 5b | Buy as a start | May 17–May 24 | Jul 21–Jul 28 |
| 6a & 6b | Buy as a start | May 2–May 9 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 7a & 7b | Buy as a start | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jun 21–Jun 28 |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | Buy as a start | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 |
| 9a & 9b | Buy as a start | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Apr 28–May 5 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Buy as a start | Mar–Apr | ~65 days after transplanting |
| Fall window | Buy as a start | Oct–Nov | ~65 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 65 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
No well-established companions for tarragon (French).
Where to buy tarragon starts
Tarragon (French) is almost always bought as a nursery start rather than seeded. Check a local nursery or garden center; we haven't vetted online start/plant suppliers yet.
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing tarragon (French)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Tarragon (French) in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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