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When to Plant Sorrel in Smith County, TX

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.

Smith County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 179 feet, Smith County receives approximately 59.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Sorrel may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Sorrel will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sorrel root diseases.

Smith County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Smith County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Sorrel Planting Timeline โ€” Smith County, TX

Sorrel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 16
Harvest April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Jun 15
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

252 days in Smith County

Growing Tips for Smith 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 Smith County, TX?

Smith County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Sorrel planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Smith County, TX?

Smith County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Smith County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Smith County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.