Sorrel in Zone 6a & 6b
Rumex acetosa
Yes, sorrel grows in zones 6a and 6b. Start seeds indoors Mar 21–Mar 28 and plant out Apr 11–Apr 18.
When to plant sorrel in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 21–Mar 28 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 11–Apr 18 |
| Estimated harvest | May 31–Jun 7 (~50 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 6b
These go outside within two weeks of sorrel in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionApr 4–Apr 11
- RadishMar 28–Apr 4
- CarrotApr 4–Apr 11
- CabbageApr 11–Apr 18
- LettuceApr 11–Apr 18
- BroccoliApr 11–Apr 18
Sorrel's whole appeal is the sharp, lemony bite that no other salad green has, a tartness sharp enough that a few leaves change the character of a whole bowl. Cooked, that acidity softens into something closer to spinach with a citrus edge, which is why it turns up in classic French sorrel soup.
How sorrel fits zone 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Sorrel needs about 50 days from sowing to first harvest.
Sorrel planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 25–May 2 | May 16–May 23 | Jul 5–Jul 12 |
| 4a & 4b | Apr 10–Apr 17 | May 1–May 8 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| 5a & 5b | Apr 5–Apr 12 | Apr 26–May 3 | Jun 15–Jun 22 |
| 6a & 6b (your zone) | Mar 21–Mar 28 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | May 31–Jun 7 |
| 7a & 7b | Mar 6–Mar 13 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 16–May 23 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 18–Feb 25 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | Apr 30–May 7 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 11–Jan 18 | Feb 1–Feb 8 | Mar 23–Mar 30 |
Harvest dates are about 50 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for sorrel.
Where to buy sorrel seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's sorrel seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing sorrel" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 6b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Sorrel in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest