Why is Tarragon and other herbs such a pig to grow ?

[Marb67]

I just don't get it. I have bought Tarragon twice from a garden centre. Potted on in the summer and did everything by the book. It got weedy and sickly, never growing any bigger and in fact, got smaller. I bought it into the house from the greenhouse and put it in the kitchen window which is warmer. It has declined into almost a grey (grey scabby patches) pathetic withering stem. We have had not one single picking from it all summer. I have even sprayed with a small amount of seaweed in water !

The same happens for

Basil
Coriander
Parsley

All have had decent daylight, warm and correct soil in pots. The only success with a herb was an unusual small leafed variety of basil bought from Waitrose in the Spring. I split it into 3 plants which lasted all summer. I bought another a couple of weeks ago and did the same but withered and died despite being kept in the house where warm.

I give in

[Martin H]

My guess is you have killed them with kindness.

Most herbs are mediterranean types. They like it dry. They are used to growing in dry soils under hot sun.

Tarragon especially needs to be planted in an open, gritty compost and left to dry out completely between waterings, otherwise it sulks and rots. When you do water them, let them suck up as much as they want from the bottom of the pot, then leave them to dry out completely once again.

Basil, Parsley and Coriander both like a more moisture-retentive soil, but it still has to be open and airy for good drainage and again don't water until they need it.

[Marb67]

I did keep coriander and parsley in moisture retentive soil but they still diminished. I grew a lot of coriander from seed and all ended up going to nothing. Basil I have read and heard on G'nrs Question time does not like moist soil, they don't like damp roots.

[Two_Sheds]

It got weedy and sickly, never growing any bigger and in fact, got smaller.

... just like all your other plants.

They are used to growing in dry soils under hot sun.

... and sun is something that Marb's garden doesn't have much of

[Marb67]

... just like all your other plants.

... and sun is something that Marb's garden doesn't have much of

How come other sun loving plants like Toms do well if it has no sun ? At least try and be a bit helpful rather than sardonic.

[veggiechicken]

I've never had much luck with tarragon either so have more or less given up on it.
With parsley, basil and coriander, I often buy the pots of herbs from supermarkets and treat them like a pot of seedlings. Plant some out in the garden in various places and pot some up to grow on indoors. I take the tops off the basil and root them up in water, then pot on to keep the succession going.
Keep persevering

[Marb67]

Thanks. Yes, I have done the basil rooting in water and it does work. Must try this again.

[PyreneesPlot]

My coriander just goes from seed to spindly flowering thing in the blink of an eye, despite being a leafy variety. At least I get to collect the seeds.
Tarragon is just left in the herb bed - an improved mix of clay and builder's rubble with lots and lots of creeping buttercup. Last year in was under snow for a week or so but still popped back in the spring. I do take cuttings just in case.
My basil does seem to like growing in big tubs and does much better there than in the ground.
Everything is in full sun so although it can be very, very cold and wet in the winter the garden bakes in the summer.

[mothhawk]

I did keep coriander and parsley in moisture retentive soil but they still diminished. I grew a lot of coriander from seed and all ended up going to nothing. Basil I have read and heard on G'nrs Question time does not like moist soil, they don't like damp roots.

I'm sure I read somewhere, but can't remember where - it will have been a gardening book of some sort - that basil is the only one of the herbs that prefers it more moist than other Mediterranean herbs. I grow it in a pot indoors, and keep it just moist all the time, watering from the bottom as MartinH says. it's on a north windowsill too, so it's not too bothered by light levels. It's in JI number 1 compost and gets a slosh of baby bio when I think about it.

[Marb67]

The tarragon finally died BUT new green shoots are showing :-) it has dried out. The question is do i leave it in the pot in the cold greenhouse or bring it indoors?

[WilliamD]

Sorry I don't know, but am following your efforts with interest as I'm keen to try growing french tarragon next year. Made the mistake of growing the russian version this year ...

[Two_Sheds]

At least try and be a bit helpful rather than sardonic.

Marb, I (and everyone else) have given you helpful friendly advice for some months now.

So I raise my hands, guilty of being cynical. I've tried to remain cheerful and upbeat, but I shall now avoid the temptation to get sucked back in to another discussion with you. You're looking for different advice than I'm able to give

[Tripmeup]

For me, I find it easier to grow from seed with most herbs.. Inevitably the ones bought from supermarket etc wither and die...

[Vince G]

Sorry I don't know, but am following your efforts with interest as I'm keen to try growing french tarragon next year. Made the mistake of growing the russian version this year ...

Never grown tarragon, but love the taste, so might have a crack next year. How do the French and Russian varieties differ?

[Dorothy rouse]

French tarragon is best, and has a much nicer flavour. I love it to, especially with chicken. I grew some in a pot from plant bought in GC, and have moved it up to plot, so it may or may not survive the winter.