Those who have planted a garden on a regular basis know that gardens do not just grow. You need to decide where to put them, which is a plan in and of itself.
Your plan will be based on the location, how much sun that spot gets, the water table for the area, and the type of soil.
One aspect that many people do not consider is “companion plants.” That would be an even bigger mistake during your planning.
Companion plants are plants that grow nicely together. They may protect one another from differing bugs, promote another plant, or may even save each other with sharing sunlight or not blocking shade. Some herb companion plants for tarragon would be herbs such as parsley, rosemary, sage, and lemon thyme, among others.
Continue reading to find out why these plants are compatible together along with more information that you could use while planning out a companion garden or even a companion planting with tarragon.
What Is Companion Plant Gardening?
Companion plant gardening has always been an important piece of the organic gardening pie.
The basis is plant each has attributes that can help one another and provide the mutual support system we all want.
For instance, there are plants that repel certain pests but do not attract any of the beneficial insects we might want.
A companion plant that attracts beneficial insects but cannot repel any would benefit both plants if planted proximate to the other.
There are plants that will provide certain nutrients to the soil that benefit the plant next to it. It may also grow taller providing some needed shade.
Here’s why herbs can be great companion plants:
- Most herbs do repel pests and some even keep a wildlife like rabbits out of the garden because of their smell.
- Another benefit of companion planting is these combinations will help boost the scent of all plants around it and even the taste.
Similar to plants that co-mingle, there are those who do not benefit and may both fail.
It is important to think about vegetable and herb mixes because some things can give produce from another plant a funky flavor if it grows next to it.
Test It Out: These are particularly present in some of the stronger plants like garlic, cayenne and peppers.
What Is Tarragon?
Tarragon originated in the Meditteranean. It is used in many European dishes including French sauces, and in Greek and Italian cuisine.
It belongs to the sunflower family, and is green and does not have the big blooms of a sunflower.
Tarragon is distinctive in its delicious taste, but can be overpowering if too much is used, especially the French tarragon, which has a strong taste like licorice. The taste is a rich, deep taste, like fennel and anise. All three have exactly the same organic compound of estragole thus producing the same flavor profile and taste.
The other type, Russian tarragon has not much of a flavor, is not as distinct an aroma, however, Russian tarragon has other properties that are similar to the French tarragon.
Both plants serve the same function in a garden, and both types would have the same type of companion plants.
Both, French and Russian tarragon plants, are versatile plants in a garden and are good companions for many herbs, vegetables, and even fruits in a garden.
Tarragon does do well in the later spring and early summer, but does seem to die down as it gets hot in the mid-summer.
It tolerates being in a potted bowl, or as a plant in an indoor herb garden with or without companion plants.
Why is Tarragon Good as a Companion Plant?
Many gardeners agree that tarragon can be a beneficial plant for the garden.
It typically associates well with many other herbs because it’s termed a “nursing plant.”
That’s right! Having tarragon in your garden will promote growth in other plants and provide them with strong flavor.
Since tarragon is a perennial herb, many gardeners plant them around their perennial herb friends.
Take Away: This doesn’t do anything particularly special in the garden but makes your garden easier to care for the next year.
What Are some Herbs to Plant With Tarragon?
A great many herbs can be grown with tarragon since it will promote the growth of other plants but not harm them.
If you want to take advantage of tarragon promoting the growth of other herbs, the first consideration would be Mediterranean herbs.
Tarragon is a Mediterranean herb and interacts well with similar Mediterranean herbs.
Since all Mediterranean herbs generally require lots of sun with dry, free draining soil, Mediterranean herbs generally work well growing together.
Here are some Mediterranean herbs that will work well as a tarragon companion plant.
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Sage
- Lavender
- Marjoram
- Dill
Together, in either a garden spot or in a communal pot, the herbs can create a stunning Mediterranean garden that is easy to snag herbs from to cook Italian and Greek food.
Please ensure that the pot or bowl you use to group your Mediterranean herbs is big enough not to pit the plans against each other to compete for space and water.
Moisture Fan herbs are those herbs that enjoy a moist area with lots of water and a lot of sun exposure. Two of these herbs, basil and parsley, can also grow well with tarragon but they do require different moisture levels.
Basil is especially nice because it will act as a pest barrier for the tarragon and any other plants growing with it because it repels whiteflies, mosquitos, hornworms and aphids.
Just be sure to water the moisture herbs more than the tarragon.
- Lemon-scented herbs do quite well next to tarragon.
- Lemon thyme
- Lemon verbena
- Lemon basil
In general, the lemon herbs are pretty strong in scent and flavor anyway, but the tarragon would likely enhance both the scent and flavor in a stronger variation.
Other herbs that grow especially well next to tarragon are cilantro, catnip, and chive.
Can I Plant Tarragon with Vegetables?
Yes, tarragon mixes well with vegetables and will even impact its flavor to a more bold flavor.
Unlike other herbs, tarragon never adds a bad flavor to vegetables, so it is a great option as a food companion plant.
The same general ideas apply to companion planting with vegetables that apply when companion planting with any food plant.
Plants that have the same soil, light, and water requirements work well as companion plants.
Like the Mediterranean companion herb plants, tarragon works very well with Mediterranean vegetables.
One vegetable tarragon is very compatible with using the companion planting principles is eggplant.
There are many Mediterranean vegetables that work well with tarragon as follows:
- Zucchini
- Tomatoes
- Squash
- Carrots
- Broccoli
Another good use of tarragon is to mix it with some other herbs like chive, and put groups of these herbs around tomatoes, carrots, mustard greens and there are better chances of whether you use the herb or not to have pests away from your work.
Both of these herb’s chive and tarragon have pest control factors that deter those pests from eating your vegetables. Ultimately, that is the goal.
Another really good pairing is tarragon with dill. Dill brings in beneficial insects like honeybees and butterflies, but also has pest properties that repel bad insects like spider mites and cabbage loopers.
The strong impact of tarragon adds to the pest control properties to enhance the whole garden, and if you are growing dill in companion planting with tarragon, your whole garden will appreciate the benefits by extra protection,
The ultimate companion insect control would be if you plant tarragon companion plants with catnip and dill to provide the most helpful insects while deterring bad insects.
Can Tarragon be a Companion Plant to Fruit?
Yes, tarragon is also a good companion plant to fruits because of pest control properties.
Many grower’s witness enhanced pest control, when using tarragon as a companion plant to strawberries, both with keeping the pests away from those berries.
Conclusion
Tarragon is one of the most unique and versatile herbs to choose from when companion planting in your garden.
It is companionable to almost all edible herbs and vegetables, and seems to enhance the other plants’ beneficial properties.
As an herb it is one of the more helpful properties, and versatile use in the kitchen for a variety of uses.
Tarragon companions well with meat, seafood, and vegetables such as beets, carrots, and summer squash.
It also enhances the flavors for French sauces, mustards, vinegar, and dressings.