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When to Plant Lentils in Warren County, PA

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.

Warren County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 1,158 feet, Warren County receives approximately 43.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lentils to ensure they mature before fall.

Warren County, PA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Warren County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Lentils

Lentils needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Lentils Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 3.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 3.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Warren County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Warren County, PA

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Sep 16
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Aug 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“110 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“8 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

153 days in Warren County

Growing Tips for Warren 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lentils in Warren County, PA?

Warren County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warren County, PA?

Warren County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Warren County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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