When to Plant Lentils in USDA Zone 6b
April in Zone 6b — your action list
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Zone 6b this April and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Set out lentils seedlings
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
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Put lentils seeds straight in the ground
Your soil is warming°F — warm enough for these to germinate without babying.
A few tasks this April that'll pay off in 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 6b, the average last spring frost is around April 3 and the first fall frost is around October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.
Lentils Planting Timeline — Zone 6b
Where Is USDA Zone 6b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6b. Click any state to see the Lentils planting schedule for that location.
Lentils Planting Calendar — Zone 6b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Direct Sow | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 |
| Harvest | June 26 | Jun 26 – Aug 7 |
| Fall Sowing | August 16 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6b 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
205 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 (~205 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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- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
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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 6b?
In Zone 6b, plan your Lentils planting around the average last frost date of April 3. Start seeds indoors around February 27. Direct sow outdoors around March 20. Transplant seedlings around April 3.
Can Lentils grow in Zone 6b?
Yes, Lentils can grow well in Zone 6b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 6b has a growing season of approximately 205 days, which is sufficient for Lentils (80-110 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Lentils in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, expect to harvest Lentils from June 26 – August 7. Lentils takes 80-110 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6b is around April 3, and the first fall frost is around October 25. This gives a growing season of approximately 205 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.