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When to Plant Sorrel in Wayne County, NC

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.

Wayne County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 736 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 40.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Sorrel may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Sorrel, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Wayne County, NC (Zone 8a) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Sorrel Planting Timeline — Wayne County, NC

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 – Apr 3
Harvest May 1 May 1 – Jul 3
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 – Sep 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

224 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Wayne 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sorrel in Wayne County, NC?

Wayne County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, NC?

Wayne County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Your Wayne County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wayne County (Zone 8a). 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 Wayne County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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