Sorrel
Rumex acetosa
A vegetable, planted March to June, or sown March to June.
In September: pick a few sorrel leaves at a time and lift and divide it.
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Sorrel, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none |
| Plant a pot-grown sorrel. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none |
| Mulch the sorrel. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
| Pick a few sorrel leaves at a time. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual |
| Lift and divide the sorrel. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover March to May, 1cm deep. Strong source: RHS.
Sow outdoors April to June, 1cm deep, 20 to 30cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant out May to June, 20 to 30cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant a pot-grown sorrel March to June, 20 to 30cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Mulch the sorrel
Spread well-rotted organic matter, such as garden compost, around the clumps.
Usually February to March. Strong source: RHS.
Pick a few sorrel leaves at a time
Gardeners call this cut-and-come-again harvesting.
Usually March to November. Strong source: RHS.
Lift and divide the sorrel
Every 4 to 5 years, not every year.
Usually March to May, and September to November. Strong source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Sorrel” comes from.