Sorrel Rumex acetosa L. (Polygonaceae) Fast Facts: Number of ...

Sorrel
Rumex acetosa L. (Polygonaceae)
Fast Facts: Number of growers: less than 50
Acres in Washington: less than 50 acres
Value per Acre: $2,500-$4,000
$9-$12.50 lb.
Percent of U.S. production: less than 1%
Description
Of Crop:
Common sorrel also known as spinach dock, is a perennial herb that is cultivated
as a garden herb or leaf vegetable (pot herb). It is a slender plant that is deep
rooted and grows to about 2-3 feet high. It has juicy stems and edible oblong
leaves and grows up to 6 inches in length. Its lower leaves are arrow shaped at
the base. It has whorled spikes of reddish-green flowers, which bloom in the
summer, becoming purplish. It will supply growers with a crop from early spring
to late fall as a “cut-and-come-again crop. Once established, the plant should
produce greens for 8-10 years. Sorrel is grown from seeds in early March and
by July the plant is cut back. Sorrel needs soil that is rich in iron to flourish. Its
leaves are held on an erect sturdy stem and are harvested by cutting with a
sharp knife to avoid bruising. The smallest leaves are the most concentrated in
flavor. It has a flavor that is described as mildly sour and similar to kiwis or wild
strawberries.
Sorrel is valued for its medicinal and culinary uses. It has astringent properties
that are suppose to cleanse the blood. Like spinach, its leaves are high in oxalic
acids. Its leaves are used in soups, sauces, salads. People in the Caribbean use
sorrel for jams, chutneys and make a popular sorrel drink that is served at
Christmas time. Sorrel is also used as a colorant for some food, beverage and
pharmaceutical companies.
In Washington, sorrel is grown for fresh markets, and as a medicinal herb.
Key pests:
Weeds are the biggest pest in sorrel production. These include lambsquarter,
kochia, pigweed, thistles, and grasses. Sorrel is relatively disease and insect free
although aphids may be a problem.
Key pesticides:

Growing medicinal herbs generally means the use of organic methods of
production. Weeds are controlled with hand hoeing, mulches and landscape fabrics.
Few chemicals are cleared for use on medicinal herbs. Aphids can be controlled
through beneficial insects or sprayed with a jet stream of water.
Critical pest
Control issues:
Growers should pick disease and pest resistant cultivars when available. Growers
should use 4 to 5 year crop rotations. Beneficial insects should be encouraged and over
watering should be avoided.
Expert contact: Kevin Ernst
Trout Lake Farms
P.O. Box 181
Trout Lake Wa. 98650
509 395 2025
Location
Of production: Klickitat, Okanogan and Whatcom counties.

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