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When to Plant Sorrel in Collingsworth County, TX

Collingsworth County, Texas Zone 7b May

May to-do list for Collingsworth County, Texas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Collingsworth County, Texas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 28
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: sorrel

    These need a head start before your last frost (March 28). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. Pick sorrel

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

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • 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.

Collingsworth County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,944 feet, Collingsworth County receives approximately 48.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°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.

Collingsworth County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Collingsworth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 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 Collingsworth County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.4–8.6) is more alkaline than Sorrel prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.0%). 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

6
successive plantings in your 223-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 28.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 202 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 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Collingsworth 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 ~1,062 GDD — county provides 4,738 GDD Excellent fit

Sorrel Planting Timeline — Collingsworth County, TX

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 – Apr 4
Harvest May 2 May 2 – Jul 4
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

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 7b

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Collingsworth County

Growing Tips for Sorrel in Collingsworth County

Direct sow Sorrel outdoors after March 28 in Collingsworth County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Your generous 223.0-day season in Collingsworth County allows multiple plantings of Sorrel. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

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 Collingsworth County, TX?

Collingsworth County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Collingsworth County, TX?

Collingsworth County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 6.

🌱

Your Collingsworth County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Collingsworth 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 Collingsworth County, TX. 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.