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When to Plant Lentils in Kimble 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.

Kimble County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,850 feet, Kimble County receives approximately 57.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Lentils may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lentils root diseases.

Kimble County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Kimble 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 (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 21

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lentils needs ~2,161 GDD — county provides 5,164 GDD Excellent fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Kimble County, TX

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Apr 4
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Aug 1

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 Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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

227 days

Growing Tips for Kimble 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 Kimble County, TX?

Kimble County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kimble County, TX?

Kimble County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kimble 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 Kimble County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.