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When to Plant Tarragon in Kane County, UT

Kane County, Utah Zone 6a May

Your May planting checklist for Kane County, Utah

May is a pivotal month for Kane County, Utah gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 13
Avg. first frost October 7
Soil temp (4") 46°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Time to transplant tarragon

    Frost risk is low now in Kane County, Utah. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

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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.

Kane County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 5,900 feet, Kane County receives approximately 19.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Tarragon during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Tarragon successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Kane County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7
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Kane County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 24

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 Kane County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–8.1) overlaps with Tarragon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Kane County is excellent for Tarragon — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Tarragon.

How to Plant Tarragon

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

Succession Planting Tarragon

2
successive plantings in your 147-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 09 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 1.7" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 1.3" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 1.7" 1.5" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 1.7" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 1.5" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.7" 1.6" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Kane 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 ~1,312 GDD — county provides 2,572 GDD Excellent fit

Tarragon Planting Timeline — Kane County, UT

Tarragon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 – Jun 3
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 – Sep 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

147 days in Kane County

Growing Tips for Tarragon in Kane County

Direct sow Tarragon outdoors after May 13 in Kane County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

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 Kane County, UT?

Kane County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Tarragon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kane County, UT?

Kane County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Your Kane County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kane County (Zone 6a). 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 Kane County, UT. 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.