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When to Plant Sorrel in Pershing County, NV

Pershing County, Nevada Zone 6b May

This month in Pershing County, Nevada

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.

Avg. last frost May 23
Avg. first frost September 23
Soil temp (4") 51°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Move sorrel from tray to bed

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

  2. Seed sorrel outdoors

    Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Starting indoors: sorrel
  • First harvests: sorrel

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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.

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 4,541 feet, Pershing County receives approximately 16.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Sorrel may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Sorrel will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Sorrel successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Pershing County, NV (Zone 6b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23
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Pershing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 12 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 22

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 Pershing County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.0–8.3) is more alkaline than Sorrel prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Pershing County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Sorrel will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Sorrel.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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

3
successive plantings in your 123-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 15.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 981 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Pershing 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 needs ~1,250 GDD — county provides 3,075 GDD Excellent fit

Sorrel Planting Timeline — Pershing County, NV

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 – May 30
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 – May 30
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 29
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 – Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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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 6b

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Pershing County

Growing Tips for Sorrel in Pershing County

Direct sow Sorrel outdoors after May 23 in Pershing County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Pershing County dries quickly — mulch Sorrel with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 100°F in Pershing County, provide afternoon shade for Sorrel and water deeply in the morning.

Pershing County receives only 16" of rain annually. Sorrel needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sorrel in Pershing County, NV?

Pershing County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pershing County, NV?

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 23.

🌱

Your Pershing County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Pershing County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Pershing County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.