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When to Plant Tarragon in Angelina County, TX

Angelina County, Texas Zone 9a May

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Avg. last frost March 5
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Collect tarragon at their peak

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

June prep starts now
  • First harvests: tarragon

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French tarragon is a perennial herb with slender leaves and a distinctive anise-like flavor essential in French cooking. It does not produce viable seed and must be propagated vegetatively.

Angelina County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 32 feet, Angelina County receives approximately 63.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Tarragon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Tarragon will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tarragon root diseases.

Angelina County, TX (Zone 9a) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Angelina County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 19

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Angelina County

How your county's soil matches Tarragon's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.6) is more acidic than Tarragon prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Angelina County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Tarragon will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Tarragon.

How to Plant Tarragon

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Tarragon

5
successive plantings in your 256-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 18 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Tarragon

Tarragon needs approximately 0.4 inches of water per week (1.7" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Tarragon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.7" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 11.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 1.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Angelina County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Tarragon Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Tarragon needs ~1,594 GDD — county provides 5,440 GDD Excellent fit

Tarragon Planting Timeline — Angelina County, TX

Tarragon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26
Harvest May 14 May 14 – Jul 23

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.4"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

256 days in Angelina County

Growing Tips for Tarragon in Angelina County

Direct sow Tarragon outdoors after March 05 in Angelina County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Angelina County dries quickly — mulch Tarragon with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Tarragon in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

With 63" of annual rainfall in Angelina County, ensure good drainage for Tarragon — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

General growing tips

Purchase plants or divisions as French tarragon does not grow true from seed. Plant in well-drained soil. Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor. Harvest tips regularly for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tarragon in Angelina County, TX?

Angelina County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Tarragon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Angelina County, TX?

Angelina County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Your Angelina County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Angelina County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Angelina County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.