When to Plant Sorrel in USDA Zone 3b
This month in Zone 3b
Welcome to June in Zone 3b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Start sorrel under lights
Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.
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Bring in the sorrel
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
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Kick off the fall garden with sorrel
Count back from your first frost (September 22) — these need to mature before the cold arrives.
July will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: sorrel
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.
In Zone 3b, the average last spring frost is around May 10 and the first fall frost is around September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.
Sorrel Planting Timeline — Zone 3b
Where Is USDA Zone 3b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 3b. Click any state to see the Sorrel planting schedule for that location.
Sorrel Planting Calendar — Zone 3b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 3 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Direct Sow | May 3 | May 3 – May 24 |
| Harvest | June 14 | Jun 14 – Aug 16 |
| Fall Sowing | June 30 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 3b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 3b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
40–60 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
-35°F to -30°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
135 days (Zone 3b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Sorrel in Zone 3b
Sow every 4.6 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Sorrel in Zone 3b
Zone 3b has a short growing season (~135 days). Start Sorrel indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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Saving Sorrel Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Full-spectrum LED lights for starting seeds indoors when daylight is limited.
Warm soil for faster germination of heat-loving crops like tomatoes and peppers.
Protect plants from frost, wind, and pests while letting light and water through.
Related Plants
Sorrel in Other Zones
Sorrel by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sorrel in Zone 3b?
In Zone 3b, plan your Sorrel planting around the average last frost date of May 10. Start seeds indoors around March 29. Direct sow outdoors around May 3. Transplant seedlings around May 3.
Can Sorrel grow in Zone 3b?
Yes, Sorrel can grow well in Zone 3b, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Zone 3b has a growing season of approximately 135 days, which is sufficient for Sorrel (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Sorrel in Zone 3b?
In Zone 3b, expect to harvest Sorrel from June 14 – August 16. Sorrel takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 3b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 3b is around May 10, and the first fall frost is around September 22. This gives a growing season of approximately 135 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Sorrel?
Good companion plants for Sorrel include Strawberries, Lettuce, Spinach. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 3b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 3b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.