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When to Plant Lentils in Angelina County, TX

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.

Angelina County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 32 feet, Angelina County receives approximately 63.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Lentils may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Lentils will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lentils root diseases.

Angelina County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Angelina County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 21 Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 5

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 ~2,019 GDD — county provides 5,440 GDD Excellent fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Angelina County, TX

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 12
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jul 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

256 days

Growing Tips for Angelina 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 Angelina County, TX?

Angelina County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Angelina County, TX?

Angelina County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Angelina County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Angelina County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.