Holly's Homestead — Leafy Green
Sorrel
Rumex acetosa · Buckwheat family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Perennial, direct sown or division
MATURITY Usable from 8 weeks
TYPE Perennial, direct sown or division
MATURITY Usable from 8 weeks
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Regular
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
Spacing
20–30cm
Depth
0.5cm
01A tangy, low-maintenance perennial
A lemony, sharp-tasting perennial green that comes back reliably each year with minimal input — a useful, unusual addition to salads once established.
02Planting
Method
Direct sow or divide an established clump.
Soil
Rich, moisture-retentive.
Timing
Plant in spring or autumn.
03Growing care
- Remove flower stalks promptly to keep leaf production going.
- Water regularly — leaves toughen and turn bitter under drought stress.
- Divide clumps every few years to renew vigour.
- Harvest outer leaves continuously.
04Problems
- Leaf miner — pale tunnels; remove affected leaves.
- Rust — orange spotting; improve airflow.
- Bolting — remove flower stalks promptly.
- Few other issues — a generally trouble-free perennial.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Leaves reach usable size, harvested continuously through the growing season.
Method
Snip outer leaves, leaving the centre to keep producing.
Curing
None needed.
Storage
Fridge, a few days.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
StrawberryAvoid nearby
None majorRotation note
Not applicable — long-lived perennial.