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When to Plant Lentils in Attala County, MS

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.

Attala County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 167 feet, Attala County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lentils during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lentils, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Attala County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Attala County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 19

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lentils needs ~1,948 GDD — county provides 4,694 GDD Excellent fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Attala County, MS

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jul 26

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

80โ€“110 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

229 days

Growing Tips for Attala County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lentils in Attala County, MS?

Attala County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Attala County, MS?

Attala County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Attala County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Attala County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.