How to grow sorrel in a raised bed

Sorrel is a hardy, perennial leafy green with a bright, lemony tang that lifts salads, soups and sauces. It's one of the first greens up in spring and one of the most trouble-free crops you can grow.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: 30 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 23 cm+ depth
• Time to harvest: 8–10 weeks, then for years

When to plant: Sorrel is a hardy perennial — plant in spring or autumn and pick from it for years. It's among the earliest greens each spring. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing it in a raised bed: Plant into rich, moist mix. Pick the outer leaves regularly and it keeps producing; snip off flower stems to keep the leaves coming rather than the plant running to seed.

Watering and feeding: Keep the mix evenly moist for tender, mild leaves.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids and slugs and snails — though most herbs are pleasingly pest-resistant. See our safe pest guide.

Common problems: the main one to watch is rust and leaf spot, usually from damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow and morning watering prevent most.

Companion plants: An easy perennial to tuck into a corner; grows happily near most vegetables. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Pick young outer leaves for the best flavour — older leaves get sharper. Use fresh; it cooks down like spinach.

More growing guides: spinach, lettuce and chervil.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Schlaghecken Josef, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.