SORREL SPINACH NT
Rumex patienta
The most common name for this spinach sorrel is dock. Whatever its name, dock is a vegetable that resembles spinach in shape, taste, and uses, but it is also a close cousin of sorrel. Rich in oxalic acid, it has a tangy flavor that makes it ideal for sauces, pies, and more.
Successful sowing of sorrel
Sow in seedbeds or pots from March to June. Cover the seeds with seed compost one to two times their thickness, firm down lightly, then water. Keep the soil moist throughout the germination period.
Cultivation of Sorrel Spinach
Transplant the plants in the garden when they have 4-5 leaves, spacing them 30 cm apart in light, humus-rich, fresh soil in a sunny location, or even partial shade during the summer. Once established, sorrel can remain in place for 4 or 5 years without any problem.
It's important to remove flower stalks as soon as they appear to avoid exhausting the plant and prevent the spread of seeds. This will encourage the production of tender shoots. The leaves disappear in winter, but the sorrel will start growing again the following spring. Watch out for snails and slugs, which love sorrel leaves. Sorrel prefers the wet periods of spring and autumn, so remember to water at the base if the weather is dry.
Sorrel Harvest
The leaves can be harvested as needed by detaching the leaves from the base. Sorrel is one of the first vegetables to be harvested, starting in March. Its flavor is mild and reminiscent of both classic spinach and sorrel. The more leaves you harvest, the more you stimulate the regrowth of new shoots.
