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When to Plant Lentils in Archer 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.

Archer County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 2,151 feet, Archer County receives approximately 59.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lentils during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lentils root diseases.

Archer County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Archer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 17

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lentils needs ~1,876 GDD — county provides 4,740 GDD Excellent fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Archer County, TX

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 27
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Sep 20
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jul 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

240 days

Growing Tips for Archer 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 Archer County, TX?

Archer County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Archer County, TX?

Archer County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Archer County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Archer County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.