Tarragon

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 15:51

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Latin name: Artemisia dracunculus Family: Astral or Compositae Categories: Herbs

Tarragon (lat. Artemisia dracunculus) - a common spice plant; perennial belonging to the Astrov family, or Asteraceae. It is often called tarragon. In natural conditions, the plant is found in Asia and North America. On the territory of Russia, the plant is widespread in Siberia and in the Primorsky Territory.

Description

Tarragon is represented by perennial plants with few, erect, branched stems, which reach a height of 40-150 cm. The stems bear entire, lanceolate or oblong foliage. The flowers of the culture under consideration are inconspicuous, yellowish, panicles are collected. Fruits in the form of achenes containing a large number of seeds. Flowering takes place at the end of summer. Fruiting occurs in October.

The subtleties of growing

Tarragon is a sun-loving crop; it is recommended to grow it in areas open to the sun. Wind protection is welcome. Soils for culture are desirable light, permeable, nutritious, neutral, with deep groundwater. The culture does not tolerate commonwealth with heavy, salty, damp and acidic soils.

Breeding features

Tarragon is propagated by seed, cuttings and dividing the bush. Seeds are sown in the ground in spring or autumn. In the second case, shelter is required in the form of fallen leaves or sawdust. You can grow a culture through seedlings. Seeds are buried to a depth of 1 cm. Many experienced gardeners advise against growing a crop with seeds, as the plants lose their true flavor characteristics.

It is recommended to propagate the culture by dividing the bush. This procedure is carried out in the second decade of August. Cuttings are carried out in mid-May. The second method gives the best results. Cuttings up to 20 cm long are cut, the cut is made oblique. For rooting, cuttings are planted in greenhouses, in 30 days they develop a root system sufficient for transplantation.

Care procedures

The culture in question is quite demanding to care for. It is necessary to regularly remove weeds, loosen and carry out systematic watering. The next year after planting, tarragon is fed with organic matter and mineral fertilizers. It is advisable to tie tall specimens to pegs. For the winter, the plants are cut, leaving a short stump. Shelter for the winter is necessary.

Harvest

The harvesting of plants is carried out at the moment the plants reach a height of 15-20 cm, but before the onset of flowering. The grass is dried under a roof. The sun's rays are destructive for her when drying. Then the dried tarragon is placed in jars and covered with lids.

Usage

Tarragon is actively used for culinary purposes for salads, drinks, snacks, etc. Tarragon is especially often served with meat. Tarragon leaves are very often used for pickling vegetables.. Mushrooms are also salted with tarragon, adding only a couple of branches of grass to the preparation.

In European countries, tarragon is used to make a variety of sauces and even vinegar, which is used to dress various fish dishes. Another of this miraculous plant is "Tarhun", a favorite refreshing drink for both adults and children.