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When to Plant Tarragon in Huntington County, IN

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.

Huntington County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 666 feet, Huntington County receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tarragon during the growing season.

Huntington County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Huntington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 29

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 157 gal / 100 sq ft
Tarragon needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,508 GDD Excellent fit

Tarragon Planting Timeline โ€” Huntington County, IN

Tarragon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Sep 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Huntington County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tarragon in Huntington County, IN?

Huntington County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Tarragon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Huntington County, IN?

Huntington County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Huntington County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Huntington County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.