When to Plant Sorrel in Washington, District of Columbia (20421)

Location

Washington, District of Columbia

ZIP Code

20421

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Friday, February 20, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, March 20, 2026 · Zone 8a

Pro tip: Sow Sorrel directly outdoors 4 weeks before your last frost date.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Rumex acetosa

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 12-24"

Spread 18"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Partial to Full Sun (4-6 hours)

💧

Water

Moderate (1 inch/week)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Sorrel in Washington?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, February 20, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

StrawberryCarrotHerb

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Sorrel

See which plants help Sorrel thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Allow seed stalks to dry completely on the plant. Harvest before seeds drop.

Processing

Strip dried seed stalks, separate seeds from dried flower material, dry 1 week.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Sorrel self-sows freely once established — you may not need to actively save seed at all.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Sorrel. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sorrel in Washington, District of Columbia? +

In Washington (Zone 8a), direct sow Sorrel outdoors around Friday, February 20, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Washington, District of Columbia? +

The average last spring frost date for Washington, District of Columbia (ZIP 20421) is around Friday, March 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8a.

How long does Sorrel take to grow? +

Sorrel typically matures in about 60 days from direct sowing. In Washington, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, February 20, 2026 plus 60 days.

Should I start Sorrel indoors or direct sow in District of Columbia? +

Sorrel does best when direct sown outdoors. In Washington, sow directly around Friday, February 20, 2026.

📚 More Sorrel Planting Guides

🗺️

Sorrel in District of Columbia

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8a Sorrel Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Washington

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Growing Sorrel in Zone 8a

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a popular garden vegetable. In Washington, District of Columbia, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should direct sow seeds around Friday, February 20, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Sorrel grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.