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When to Plant Sorrel in Oneida County, WI

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.

Oneida County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 569 feet, Oneida County receives approximately 39.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Sorrel to ensure they mature before fall.

Oneida County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Oneida County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Sorrel needs ~575 GDD — county provides 1,506 GDD Excellent fit

Sorrel Planting Timeline โ€” Oneida County, WI

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jun 3
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Jul 20
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 26

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Direct Sow 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

131 days

Growing Tips for Oneida 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 Oneida County, WI?

Oneida County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oneida County, WI?

Oneida County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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