Crop details
Tarragon
Categories
Quick stats
| Family | Asteraceae |
|---|---|
| Typical harvest | 4.5 t/ha |
| Varieties | 1 |
| Pests & diseases | 2 |
| Seasons | 1 |
Crop profile
| Growth habit | perennial |
|---|---|
| Days to harvest | 90 |
| Main uses | Leaves for premium culinary herb markets and flavoring. |
| Pollination | insect |
| Origin / where it grows | Best in cool, well-drained herb gardens and protected production. |
Weather, soil & spacing
| Best temperature | 14–24 °C |
|---|---|
| Rainfall | 450–800 mm/yr |
| Altitude | 800–2800 m |
| Best pH | 6–7 |
| Soil type | Fertile well-drained loam rich in organic matter. |
| Row spacing | 35 cm |
| Plant spacing | 20 cm |
| Planting depth | 1.5 cm |
| Seed rate | 3 kg/ha |
| Nursery days | — |
Simple notes for farmers
About the crop: This crop is perennial, which means once you plant it, the same plant can keep producing for many years. You can normally start harvesting about 90 days after planting, depending on care and variety.
Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for leaves for premium culinary herb markets and flavoring..
Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.
Where it grows: Best in cool, well-drained herb gardens and protected production. It is grouped under: Vegetables, Spices & Condiments.
Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 14 and 24 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 450 to 800 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2800 metres above sea level.
Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 7. It does well in fertile well-drained loam rich in organic matter.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.
Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 35 centimetres apart, and leave about 20 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.
Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 1.5 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.
Seed or planting material: Use around 3 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.
Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)
Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)
| # | Stage | DAP | Product | Rate | Targets (kg/ha) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basal | 0 | NPK 17-17-17 | 200 kg/ha | N: 34, P₂O₅: 34, K₂O: 34 | Basal fertilizer for Tarragon. |
| 2 | Topdress | 21 | CAN | 100 kg/ha | N: 26, P₂O₅: —, K₂O: — | Support active Tarragon vegetative growth. |
Nutrient requirements
| Nutrient | Stage | Amount | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| N | Basal | 35 | kg/ha |
| P₂O₅ | Basal | 30 | kg/ha |
| K₂O | Basal | 35 | kg/ha |
| N | Topdress | 25 | kg/ha |
| K₂O | Topdress | 20 | kg/ha |
Field images (picha shambani)
| Name | Country | Maturity | Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Tarragon | KE | 90 | High-value aromatic herb. |
| Stage | Product | Rate (kg/ha) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planting | Well-rotted manure | 5000 | Improve soil structure before Tarragon planting. |
| Vegetative growth | CAN | 100 | Split topdress for Tarragon production. |
| Name | Type | Symptoms | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aphids | pest | Crowding on tender shoots and reduced growth. | Use clean fields and selective control if needed. |
| Powdery mildew | disease | White powdery growth on leaves. | Improve airflow and avoid overcrowding. |
| System | Typical | Min | Max | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managed fresh-market production | 4.5 | 3.2 | 6.8 | Typical marketable Tarragon yield under irrigated or well-managed conditions. |
| Country | Region | Planting | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| KE | Highland Vegetable Zones | Mar-Apr or Oct-Nov | Year-round depending on irrigation |
| Country | Region | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| KE | Highland Vegetable Zones | High |