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When to Plant Sorrel in Schuyler 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.

Schuyler County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 1,008 feet, Schuyler County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sorrel during the growing season.

Schuyler County, NY (Zone 5b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Schuyler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 22 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2

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 ~725 GDD — county provides 2,117 GDD Excellent fit

Sorrel Planting Timeline โ€” Schuyler County, NY

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 12
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 20

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 Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing 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 5b

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Schuyler 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 Schuyler County, NY?

Schuyler County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Schuyler County, NY?

Schuyler County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Schuyler County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Schuyler County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.