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When to Plant Lentils in Klamath 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.

Klamath County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 100 days.

At an elevation of 142 feet, Klamath County receives approximately 48.7 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.

Klamath County, OR (Zone 6a) Short season
100 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
100 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Klamath County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 25 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 3
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 9 Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Oct 17
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
2.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lentils needs ~1,164 GDD — county provides 1,225 GDD Good fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Klamath County, OR

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Transplant Outdoors June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Jun 27
Direct Sow May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 20
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Oct 17

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 โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

100 days

Growing Tips for Klamath 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lentils in Klamath County, OR?

Klamath County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Klamath County, OR?

Klamath County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Klamath County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Klamath County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.