When to Plant Lentils in USDA Zone 6a
Your April game plan for Zone 6a
Your garden in Zone 6a is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this April.
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Move lentils from tray to bed
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
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Outdoor sowing time: lentils
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
Looking ahead to May
- Starting indoors: 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 6a, the average last spring frost is around April 10 and the first fall frost is around October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.
Lentils Planting Timeline — Zone 6a
Where Is USDA Zone 6a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6a. Click any state to see the Lentils planting schedule for that location.
Lentils Planting Calendar — Zone 6a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Direct Sow | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 17 |
| Harvest | July 3 | Jul 3 – Aug 14 |
| Fall Sowing | August 11 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6a 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
193 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 (~193 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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
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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 6a?
In Zone 6a, plan your Lentils planting around the average last frost date of April 10. Start seeds indoors around March 6. Direct sow outdoors around March 27. Transplant seedlings around April 10.
Can Lentils grow in Zone 6a?
Yes, Lentils can grow well in Zone 6a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 6a has a growing season of approximately 193 days, which is sufficient for Lentils (80-110 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Lentils in Zone 6a?
In Zone 6a, expect to harvest Lentils from July 3 – August 14. Lentils takes 80-110 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6a is around April 10, and the first fall frost is around October 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 193 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.