Lentils Planting Guide
Lentils are an ancient pulse crop producing small, lens-shaped seeds packed with protein and iron. They grow on short, bushy plants and are surprisingly easy to cultivate.
Lens culinaris · Vegetable · Fabaceae family · 80–110 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Lentils Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Lentils?
Lentils Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Lentils planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Aug 22 – Oct 3 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 10 | May 15 | May 22 | Aug 14 – Sep 25 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Aug 7 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 10 | Aug 2 – Sep 13 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | May 6 | Jul 29 – Sep 9 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | May 1 | Jul 24 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 25 | Jul 18 – Aug 29 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 18 | Jul 11 – Aug 22 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 10 | Jul 3 – Aug 14 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | Jun 26 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 25 | Jun 17 – Jul 29 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 18 | Jun 10 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | May 31 – Jul 12 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 25 | May 20 – Jul 1 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 10 | May 5 – Jun 16 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 25 | Apr 19 – May 31 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Mar 26 – May 7 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Mar 26 – May 7 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Transplant shows "—" because Lentils is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Lentils
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 8
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 10b
📅 Days to Maturity
80–110 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Fabaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Fabaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Lentils
Lentils matures in just 80–110 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 9.1 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Lentils
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Lentils
Direct sow in early spring as lentils tolerate frost. Provide short supports as plants tend to lodge. Harvest when lower pods turn brown. Pull entire plants and dry in bundles.
Saving Lentils Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Lentils by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Lentils?
Lentils (Lens culinaris) takes 80 to 110 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Lentils grow in?
Lentils can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Lentils need?
Growing Lentils requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6 to 8.