When to Plant Lentils in USDA Zone 4b
This month in Zone 4b
Each item below is timed to Zone 4b's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
-
Put lentils seeds straight in the ground
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
May prep starts now
- Transplants going out: lentils
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.
In Zone 4b, the average last spring frost is around May 1 and the first fall frost is around October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.
Lentils Planting Timeline — Zone 4b
Where Is USDA Zone 4b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 4b. Click any state to see the Lentils planting schedule for that location.
Lentils Planting Calendar — Zone 4b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 1 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Direct Sow | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 15 |
| Harvest | July 24 | Jul 24 – Sep 4 |
| Fall Sowing | July 11 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 4b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 4b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Days to Maturity
80–110 days
Soil pH
6 – 8
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
155 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 6 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Lentils in Zone
Sow every 9.1 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Lentils in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~155 days). Start Lentils indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
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Saving Lentils Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Lentils in Other Zones
Lentils by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lentils in Zone 4b?
In Zone 4b, plan your Lentils planting around the average last frost date of May 1. Start seeds indoors around March 20. Direct sow outdoors around April 24. Transplant seedlings around May 1.
Can Lentils grow in Zone 4b?
Yes, Lentils can grow well in Zone 4b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 4b has a growing season of approximately 155 days, which is sufficient for Lentils (80-110 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Lentils in Zone 4b?
In Zone 4b, expect to harvest Lentils from July 24 – September 4. Lentils takes 80-110 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 4b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 4b is around May 1, and the first fall frost is around October 3. This gives a growing season of approximately 155 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Lentils?
Good companion plants for Lentils include Corn, Lettuce. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.