For most backyard gardeners, sorrel is often dismissed as just another weed. But honestly? They’re missing out! This vitamin-packed wild herb is a total powerhouse that deserves a spot in your garden—and on your dinner plate. Plus, it’s not just for eating; it actually looks pretty charming as an ornamental addition to your perennial beds.
Sowing Sorrel Seeds Outdoors
If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll want to get your seeds in the ground in early spring (think March or April) once the threat of a hard frost has passed. If you miss that window, no worries! You can also do a late-summer planting in August or September. I recommend sowing them in rows about 10 inches apart. Once they start popping up, thin them out so there’s about 4 to 6 inches between plants. Pro tip: pinch off any flower stalks to keep the energy focused on those tasty leaves.
Get a Head Start with Winter Protection
Want to harvest even earlier? Give your sorrel a little “blanket.” Covering the patch with garden fleece in early spring warms things up and speeds up growth. Usually, you’re only looking at a few weeks from sowing to your first harvest, though Mother Nature and the local temperature always have the final say.
Setting Out Young Plants
If you’re picking up starter plants from a nursery, aim to get them in the ground around April or May to plant. The best part? You’ll be harvesting that same summer. Just make sure to give them some elbow room—about 15 to 20 inches between plants is the sweet spot.
Keeping Sorrel Under Control
Here’s the thing: sorrel is an overachiever. It spreads fast, and because it has deep roots, it can be a real pain to remove once it’s settled in. To keep it from taking over your entire garden, I highly recommend growing it in containers, planter boxes, or raised beds. It’s also a fantastic choice for balcony gardening to plant, provided you have the right spot. If you want to slow down its growth in a pot, try mixing a little sand into your potting soil.
Care is a Total Breeze
Sorrel is pretty low-maintenance. Just make sure to give it a good drink during those long, dry summer stretches. You don’t really need to worry about fertilizer, either. To keep the leaves coming all season long, just snip off the flower stalks as they appear—this encourages the plant to put all its effort into a bountiful harvest.
Buying Your Plants
You can find specific garden varieties of sorrel at most local garden centers or nurseries. You’ll notice they can vary a bit in look and flavor, but generally, all sorrel is edible. And as the name suggests, expect a bright, tangy, and slightly acidic kick that’s perfect for salads and soups!
