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When to Plant Tarragon in Sublette County, WY

Sublette County, Wyoming Zone 4b May

May in the garden — Sublette County, Wyoming

Your Sublette County, Wyoming garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost June 22
Avg. first frost August 24
Soil temp (4") 36°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Transplants going out: 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.

Sublette County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 22 and the first fall frost is August 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 63 days.

At an elevation of 5,005 feet, Sublette County receives approximately 22.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Tarragon to ensure they mature before fall.

Sublette County, WY (Zone 4b) Very short season
63 days
Last Spring Frost June 22
63 growing days
First Fall Frost August 24

Sublette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Nov 4
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Nov 9
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 7 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Nov 17

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 Sublette County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.8) overlaps with Tarragon's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
1.5″/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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 1.7" 1.5" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 1.7" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 2.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Oct 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Aug in Sublette 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 ~806 GDD — county provides 677 GDD May not mature

Tarragon Planting Timeline — Sublette County, WY

Tarragon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 29 Jun 29 – Jul 13
Harvest August 31 Aug 31 – Nov 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

63 days in Sublette County

Growing Tips for Tarragon in Sublette County

Direct sow Tarragon outdoors after June 22 in Sublette County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 63.0-day growing season in Sublette County is tight for Tarragon (60.0-90.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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 Sublette County, WY?

Sublette County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 22. Plan your Tarragon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sublette County, WY?

Sublette County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 22 and first fall frost is August 24.

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Your Sublette County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Sublette County (Zone 4b). 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 Sublette County, WY. 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.