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When to Plant Lentils in Alaska

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.

Alaska spans USDA hardiness zones 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Lentils planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Lentils Planting Calendar for Alaska

Zone 2a ~94 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 30 · First frost: September 1 · 94 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 – Jun 13
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 – Jun 13
Fall Sowing June 9 Jun 9 – Jun 23
Harvest August 22 Aug 22 – Oct 3
Zone 2b ~111 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 22 · First frost: September 10 · 111 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 – Jun 5
Direct Sow May 15 May 15 – Jun 5
Fall Sowing June 18 Jun 18 – Jul 2
Harvest August 14 Aug 14 – Sep 25
Zone 3a ~123 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 15 · First frost: September 15 · 123 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 – May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 – May 29
Fall Sowing June 23 Jun 23 – Jul 7
Harvest August 7 Aug 7 – Sep 18
Zone 4a ~145 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 6 · First frost: September 28 · 145 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 – May 20
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 – May 20
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 – Jul 20
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 – Sep 9
Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 – May 15
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 – Jul 25
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 – Sep 4
Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 – May 2
Fall Sowing July 30 Jul 30 – Aug 13
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 – Aug 29
Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 – Aug 18
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 – Aug 22
Zone 6a ~193 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 10 · First frost: October 20 · 193 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 – Aug 14
Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 10
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 – Aug 7
Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 – Jul 29
Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 – Sep 13
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 – Jul 22

Growing Tips for Alaska

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lentils in Alaska?

Planting dates for Lentils in Alaska depend on your USDA zone. Alaska spans zones 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Alaska for planting?

Alaska contains USDA hardiness zones 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.