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When to Plant Lentils in Emery County, UT

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.

Emery County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 7,259 feet, Emery County receives approximately 15.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lentils during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lentils successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Emery County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Emery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 28 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 6

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 80 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lentils needs ~1,306 GDD — county provides 2,007 GDD Excellent fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Emery County, UT

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Fall Sowing July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Aug 9
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Sep 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Emery 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 Emery County, UT?

Emery County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Emery County, UT?

Emery County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Emery County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Emery County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.