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When to Plant Lentils in Kerr 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.

Kerr County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 3,907 feet, Kerr County receives approximately 52 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.

Kerr County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Kerr County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 20

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lentils needs ~1,876 GDD — county provides 4,582 GDD Excellent fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Kerr County, TX

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 31
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors 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 8a

Growing Season

232 days

Growing Tips for Kerr 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 Kerr County, TX?

Kerr County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kerr County, TX?

Kerr County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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