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When to Plant Sorrel in Bledsoe County, TN

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.

Bledsoe County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 3,897 feet, Bledsoe County receives approximately 48 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sorrel during the growing season.

Bledsoe County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bledsoe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 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.

Soil Compatibility in Bledsoe County

How your county's soil matches Sorrel's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.7) overlaps with Sorrel's range (5.5โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Bledsoe County is excellent for Sorrel โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Sorrel.

How to Plant Sorrel

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Sorrel

5
successive plantings in your 197-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 16.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 ~988 GDD — county provides 3,890 GDD Excellent fit

Sorrel Planting Timeline โ€” Bledsoe County, TN

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jul 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

197 days in Bledsoe County

Growing Tips for Sorrel in Bledsoe County

Direct sow Sorrel outdoors after April 11 in Bledsoe County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 197.0-day season in Bledsoe County allows multiple plantings of Sorrel. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

General growing tips

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 Bledsoe County, TN?

Bledsoe County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bledsoe County, TN?

Bledsoe County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bledsoe County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Bledsoe County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.