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When to Plant Sorrel in Noble County, OK

Noble County, Oklahoma Zone 7a May

What to do in May

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Noble County, Oklahoma.

Avg. last frost April 7
Avg. first frost October 28
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for sorrel

    You're about 22 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. Harvest sorrel as they ripen

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • 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.

Noble County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 547 feet, Noble County receives approximately 24.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Sorrel during the growing season.

Noble County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28
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Noble County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 28

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 Noble County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.2) overlaps with Sorrel's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Noble 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 (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help 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

6
successive plantings in your 204-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 19.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,747 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Noble 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 ~950 GDD — county provides 3,876 GDD Excellent fit

Sorrel Planting Timeline — Noble County, OK

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 – Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 14
Harvest May 12 May 12 – Jul 14
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 – Sep 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
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
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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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

204 days in Noble County

Growing Tips for Sorrel in Noble County

Direct sow Sorrel outdoors after April 07 in Noble County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 204.0-day season in Noble County allows multiple plantings of Sorrel. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Noble County receives only 24" 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 Noble County, OK?

Noble County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Noble County, OK?

Noble County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 28.

🌱

Your Noble County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Noble County (Zone 7a). 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 Noble County, OK. 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.