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When to Plant Lentils in Grant County, OR

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.

Grant County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 96 days.

At an elevation of 2,838 feet, Grant County receives approximately 22.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lentils to ensure they mature before fall.

Grant County, OR (Zone 5b) Very short season
96 days
Last Spring Frost June 6
96 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 22 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 18 – Oct 30

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lentils needs ~1,164 GDD — county provides 1,176 GDD Good fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, OR

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Transplant Outdoors June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jun 20
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 13
Fall Sowing July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 16
Harvest August 29 Aug 29 โ€“ Oct 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Start Indoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

96 days

Growing Tips for Grant 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 Grant County, OR?

Grant County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 6. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, OR?

Grant County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and first fall frost is September 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Grant County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.