When to Plant Sorrel in Nevada County, CA
Your May planting checklist for Nevada County, California
May is a pivotal month for Nevada County, California gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Transplant sorrel outside
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: sorrel
- 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.
Nevada County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.
At an elevation of 2,745 feet, Nevada County receives approximately 44.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Sorrel to ensure they mature before fall.
Nevada County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Nevada County
How your county's soil matches Sorrel's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.5) is more alkaline than Sorrel prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Nevada County is excellent for Sorrel — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Sorrel.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Sorrel.
How to Plant Sorrel
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Sorrel
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 27.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Sorrel
Sorrel needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Sorrel Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 9.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 8.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 7.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.2" | 4.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0" | 4.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0" | 4.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 0.4" | 3.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 4.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 6.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Nevada County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Sorrel Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Sorrel Planting Timeline — Nevada County, CA
Sorrel Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 12 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 3 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Direct Sow | April 19 | Apr 19 – May 10 |
| Harvest | June 14 | Jun 14 – Aug 16 |
| Fall Sowing | August 27 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
165 days in Nevada County
Growing Tips for Sorrel in Nevada County
Direct sow Sorrel outdoors after May 10 in Nevada County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 165.0-day season in Nevada 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Sorrel in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sorrel in Nevada County, CA?
Nevada County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Nevada County, CA?
Nevada County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 22.
Your Nevada County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Nevada County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.