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When to Plant Sorrel in St. Lawrence 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.

St. Lawrence County, New York is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 688 feet, St. Lawrence County receives approximately 39.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Sorrel to ensure they mature before fall.

St. Lawrence County, NY (Zone 4a) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

St. Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Sorrel needs ~650 GDD — county provides 1,885 GDD Excellent fit

Sorrel Planting Timeline โ€” St. Lawrence County, NY

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Jul 24
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 16

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4a

Growing Season

145 days

Growing Tips for St. Lawrence 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 St. Lawrence County, NY?

St. Lawrence County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Lawrence County, NY?

St. Lawrence County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Lawrence County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 St. Lawrence County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.