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When to Plant Sorrel in Sumner County, TN

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.

Sumner County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 1,917 feet, Sumner County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Sorrel during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sorrel root diseases.

Sumner County, TN (Zone 7b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Sumner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

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 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Sumner County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Sorrel Planting Timeline — Sumner County, TN

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Harvest May 14 May 14 – Jul 16
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 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 7b

📆 Growing Season

202 days in Sumner County

Growing Tips for Sumner 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 Sumner County, TN?

Sumner County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sumner County, TN?

Sumner County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 28.

🌱

Your Sumner County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sumner County (Zone 7b). 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 Sumner County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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