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When to Plant Tarragon in Pershing County, NV

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.

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 4,541 feet, Pershing County receives approximately 16.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, so Tarragon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Tarragon will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Tarragon successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Pershing County, NV (Zone 6a) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Pershing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Nov 3

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 Pershing County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.0โ€“8.3) is more alkaline than Tarragon prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Tarragon.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Tarragon.

How to Plant Tarragon

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

Succession Planting Tarragon

2
successive plantings in your 123-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 25 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 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Tarragon needs ~1,875 GDD — county provides 3,075 GDD Excellent fit

Tarragon Planting Timeline โ€” Pershing County, NV

Tarragon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 13
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Oct 10

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 Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.4"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

123 days in Pershing County

Growing Tips for Tarragon in Pershing County

Direct sow Tarragon outdoors after May 23 in Pershing County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

With summer highs reaching 100ยฐF in Pershing County, provide afternoon shade for Tarragon and water deeply in the morning.

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tarragon in Pershing County, NV?

Pershing County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Tarragon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pershing County, NV?

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pershing County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Pershing County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.