When to Plant Sorrel in Atchison County, KS
Atchison County, Kansas gardeners: here's your May plan
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
-
Begin indoor sowing: sorrel
You're about 21 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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Collect sorrel at their peak
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- 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.
Atchison County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.
At an elevation of 678 feet, Atchison County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Sorrel to ensure they mature before fall.
Atchison County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.8
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 Atchison County
How your county's soil matches Sorrel's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.8) is more alkaline than Sorrel prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Atchison 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 (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Sorrel.
How to Plant Sorrel
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Sorrel
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 22 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 12.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.2" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Atchison 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 — Atchison County, KS
Sorrel Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Direct Sow | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 24 |
| Harvest | May 22 | May 22 – Jul 24 |
| Fall Sowing | August 12 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
187 days in Atchison County
Growing Tips for Sorrel in Atchison County
Direct sow Sorrel outdoors after April 17 in Atchison County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 187.0-day season in Atchison 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 Atchison County, KS?
Atchison County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Atchison County, KS?
Atchison County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 21.
Your Atchison County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Atchison County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.