The sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a wild vegetable that can be used in many ways in the kitchen and can be collected on walks in unpolluted meadows. With targeted cultivation in the garden, the yield can be increased within a season through certain care measures.

How much water does the sorrel need?

In nature, the sorrel likes to grow in full sun, but in partially shaded locations it usually grows smaller. Since it is completely dependent on precipitation in nature, it prefers medium-heavy soils with good moisture storage capacity. In the garden, it should be watered during summer dry spells when the soil is at risk of drying out.

Can the sorrel also be grown in a pot?

Growing sorrel in pots is not common as it allows its roots to grow down to a depth of 150 centimetres. However, it is possible to grow the sorrel in a pot from seed and then transplant it into a suitable bed in the garden.

When should sorrel leaves be harvested?

The leaves should be harvested for consumption by around mid-June, as the leaves turn reddish from around this time. This is an indicator of the oxalic acid content in the leaves, which is not very well tolerated by the stomach. If you only ever harvest part of the leaves on a plant, then the plant can use the growth energy gained from the remaining leaves to grow new leaves. Young sorrel leaves have a finer consistency and can be used in the following dishes:

  • herb salad
  • Frankfurt's green sauce
  • as an ingredient in omelettes and sauces
  • sorrel soup

What to do in the event of deficiency symptoms?

Poor growth often occurs with sorrel if it was planted in too shady a location or on an unsuitable substrate. If you allow the seeds to self-seed after flowering, this species usually chooses suitable locations in the garden for propagation itself.

How can the yield for consumption be increased?

Remove the flower base as soon as it becomes visible on the plants. The growth energy saved in this way then flows unabated into the formation of new leaves.

Should the sorrel be fertilized?

Basically, the sorrel does not need regular fertilization in deep and nutrient-rich soil. However, you can enrich its location in the spring with some compost that has been deposited.

How does the sorrel overwinter?

The sorrel is a mostly evergreen semi-rosette plant whose above-ground plant parts do not die off completely under the snow cover. However, plants that have been completely cut off in autumn can also sprout again in spring, since even small root parts in the soil are capable of vegetative propagation.

tips and tricks

So that the sorrel from your own garden is and remains a pleasure without regrets, planting and propagation should be well thought out. Otherwise, the prolific plant can quickly become an intensive workload if you want to banish it from the garden and fight it.

WK

Category:

Herbs