Blog

When to Plant Sorrel in Montgomery County, NY

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.

Montgomery County, New York is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 819 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Sorrel to ensure they mature before fall.

Montgomery County, NY (Zone 5a) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Montgomery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 19 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Sorrel needs ~612 GDD — county provides 1,972 GDD Excellent fit

Sorrel Planting Timeline โ€” Montgomery County, NY

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 5a

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, NY?

Montgomery County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montgomery County, NY?

Montgomery County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montgomery County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Montgomery County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.