Unfortunately, sorrel collected in nature is sometimes contaminated with pesticides, fox tapeworm or dog droppings. You can also grow the vigorous plant for consumption in your own garden.

How does sorrel grow?

The sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a very perennial and partially evergreen plant that sprout from its rootstock every spring. The leaves of this knotweed plant have been a wild vegetable valued for centuries. Depending on the location, the herbaceous plant grows between 30 and 100 centimeters high and usually flowers from May to August. After harvesting, the tender leaves are used in a similar way to spinach and can be used as a basis for the following dishes:

  • hot or cold sorrel soup
  • as an ingredient in salads and omelettes
  • in the Frankfurt green sauce

Which location does the sorrel prefer?

The growth of sorrel in the garden depends on whether it grows in the sun it appreciates or in partial shade. Too shady locations produce only stunted growing plants. The substrate should offer the sorrel roots medium-heavy and deep soil, and the pH value should be below 6 if possible. Sufficient watering should be carried out during dry periods in summer so that the soil does not dry out too much.

When should the sorrel be sown?

Sorrel is usually sown in rows in March and later isolated. However, sowing is still possible in August, although harvesting is then only possible in the following spring and summer.

Can the sorrel be transplanted?

Young plants grown from seed are relatively easy to transplant if they are dug up with as complete a root as possible. On larger plants, however, the roots of the sorrel can reach quite deep into the soil. If the roots are injured during transplanting and part of the root remains in the ground, then due to vegetative propagation, a new plant will grow in the same place.

When is the sorrel harvested?

The best time to harvest the tender leaves is before mid-June. After this point in time, the oxalic acid content of the leaves usually rises to a level that irritates the stomach, which can be seen from the red coloring of the leaf tips.

How to increase the yield of sorrel?

When growing sorrel in a targeted manner, it is advisable to regularly remove the inflorescences of the otherwise easy-care sorrel in order to stimulate leaf growth.

tips and tricks

Once the sorrel has settled in the garden, it can multiply profusely under the right conditions. A removal from the lawn or vegetable bed is then associated with a lot of effort due to the very germinable seeds and deep roots.

Category:

Herbs