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When to Plant Lentils in La Salle 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.

La Salle County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 292 days.

At an elevation of 2,270 feet, La Salle County receives approximately 57.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lentils during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lentils root diseases.

La Salle County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
292 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
292 growing days
First Fall Frost December 3

La Salle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (174 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 26 Transplant: Jan 30 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jun 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (166 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 10 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 18

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lentils needs ~1,805 GDD — county provides 5,567 GDD Excellent fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” La Salle County, TX

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 10 Jan 10 โ€“ Jan 24
Transplant Outdoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Direct Sow January 31 Jan 31 โ€“ Feb 21
Fall Sowing September 24 Sep 24 โ€“ Oct 8
Harvest May 9 May 9 โ€“ Jun 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

292 days

Growing Tips for La Salle 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lentils in La Salle County, TX?

La Salle County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is La Salle County, TX?

La Salle County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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