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When to Plant Sorrel in Lassen County, CA

Sorrel is a perennial herb with tangy, lemon-flavored arrow-shaped leaves. It is one of the first greens to emerge in spring and is used in soups and salads.

Lassen County, California is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 124 days.

At an elevation of 1,854 feet, Lassen County receives approximately 43.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Sorrel to ensure they mature before fall.

Lassen County, CA (Zone 6b) Short season
124 days
Last Spring Frost May 28
124 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Lassen County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 23 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 15 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 25

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sorrel needs ~650 GDD — county provides 1,612 GDD Excellent fit

Sorrel Planting Timeline โ€” Lassen County, CA

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 4
Fall Sowing July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Aug 4
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

124 days

Growing Tips for Lassen County

Direct sow in early spring or fall. Remove flower stalks promptly to encourage leaf production. Divide clumps every 3-4 years. Young leaves have the best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sorrel in Lassen County, CA?

Lassen County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 28. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lassen County, CA?

Lassen County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 28 and first fall frost is September 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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