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When to Plant Tarragon in Refugio County, TX

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.

Refugio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 293 days.

At an elevation of 1,000 feet, Refugio County receives approximately 68.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Tarragon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tarragon root diseases.

Refugio County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
293 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
293 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Refugio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – Jun 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 30

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 Refugio County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.2) is within Tarragon's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Refugio County is excellent for Tarragon โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.0%). 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 293-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 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
Tarragon needs ~2,044 GDD — county provides 8,011 GDD Excellent fit

Tarragon Planting Timeline โ€” Refugio County, TX

Tarragon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ Jul 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

293 days in Refugio County

Growing Tips for Tarragon in Refugio County

Direct sow Tarragon outdoors after February 16 in Refugio County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 103ยฐF in Refugio 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.

With 68" of annual rainfall in Refugio County, ensure good drainage for Tarragon โ€” 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tarragon in Refugio County, TX?

Refugio County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Tarragon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Refugio County, TX?

Refugio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Refugio County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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