When to Plant Sorrel in Grand Forks County, ND
Your May gardening checklist
Your garden in Grand Forks County, North Dakota is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Time to transplant sorrel
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.
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Direct-sow sorrel
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
Looking ahead to June
- 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.
Grand Forks County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.
At an elevation of 572 feet, Grand Forks County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Sorrel to ensure they mature before fall.
Grand Forks County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.4
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 Grand Forks County
How your county's soil matches Sorrel's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.4) is more alkaline than Sorrel prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Grand Forks County is excellent for Sorrel — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Sorrel.
How to Plant Sorrel
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Sorrel
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 01 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 08.
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 | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Grand Forks 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 — Grand Forks County, ND
Sorrel Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 30 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 4 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Direct Sow | May 4 | May 4 – May 25 |
| Harvest | June 15 | Jun 15 – Aug 17 |
| Fall Sowing | July 8 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
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 | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| 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 4a
📆 Growing Season
142 days in Grand Forks County
Growing Tips for Sorrel in Grand Forks County
Direct sow Sorrel outdoors after May 11 in Grand Forks County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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 Grand Forks County, ND?
Grand Forks County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Grand Forks County, ND?
Grand Forks County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 30.
Your Grand Forks County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Grand Forks County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.