How to increase the yield of sorrel in the garden

Briefly about sorrel

An unpretentious and tenacious inhabitant of vegetable gardens, sorrel is a rich source of nutrients and is often used to prepare salads and soups, especially in summer. It is believed that growing sorrel does not require much effort and preparation in order to obtain good sorrel yields. However, there are recommendations for caring for this garden crop to increase its yield.
Sorrel is common on all inhabited continents and belongs to the Buckwheat family. In total, there are about 150 species of sorrel in nature, most of which belong to weeds, only some species are used as a vegetable crop. Such is the sour sorrel or common sorrel - a perennial herb with a short branched root and a straight ribbed stem.

The benefits and harms of sorrel

Sorrel leaves and stem are rich in proteins, vitamins C, B, K, carotene, which makes it a healthy food. However, it should be borne in mind that the acids contained in this plant, if consumed excessively, can harm the body. Especially a lot of oxalic acid accumulates in the leaves by the end of July - by this time experienced gardeners are finishing the sorrel harvest. For people with metabolic disorders, it is better to exclude this product from their diet.

Sorrel yield and its varieties

The variety can significantly affect the yield of sorrel. The most productive varieties of sorrel are considered to be "Spinatny", "Shirokolistny", "Maikopsky-10", "Nikolsky", "Malachite", "Large-leaved", "Sanguinik", "Vegetarian", "Odessa-17".

How to increase the yield of sorrel when growing

Growing sorrel from seeds is preferable. Seeds that have survived the winter give a more bountiful harvest. Another way to increase fertility is to soak the seeds in a special solution or in water for two days before sowing, after wrapping them in gauze.

It is best to sow sorrel on pre-fertilized soil, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are especially useful for this plant. To facilitate the maintenance of crops, it is better to plant seeds in rows, at a depth of 2 cm, at a distance of 5 cm from each other. It is recommended to leave about 15 cm between the rows. The sown area should be overlaid with peat and covered with foil to create a greenhouse effect, which will allow you to see the first shoots in 5-7 days. Grown plants need thinning, the optimal distance between the sorrel bushes is 10 cm. Between the rows, this crop is fertilized with compost, systematic loosening of the soil is also shown. Two more important conditions: sufficient moisture (the earth must not be allowed to dry out) and protection from weeds, the most harmful of which is wheatgrass.

Despite the fact that sorrel is a frost-resistant crop, it is recommended to plant its seeds in spring, starting from the second half of April. Meanwhile, the growth of sorrel seeds begins at rather low temperatures, shortly after the soil thaws. The most favorable temperature for him is 16-19 degrees. There is also summer and autumn planting.

Sorrel yield depends on the planting site

Choosing the right place for planting sorrel is another prerequisite for good yields. It is best to choose an inclined area: this way, it will be possible to avoid oversaturation of the earth with moisture during rains and melting snow. Fertile and cultivated soils are preferred, loam, drained peat soil is suitable.Sorrel is grown on one site for 5-6 years, after which its yield of sorrel begins to decrease significantly.