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When to Plant Lentils in Pacific County, WA

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.

Pacific County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 14 feet, Pacific County receives approximately 47.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lentils during the growing season.

Pacific County, WA (Zone 8b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Pacific County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 12

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
Lentils needs ~1,378 GDD — county provides 2,813 GDD Excellent fit

Lentils Planting Timeline โ€” Pacific County, WA

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 8b

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Pacific 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 Pacific County, WA?

Pacific County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pacific County, WA?

Pacific County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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