When to Plant Lentils in USDA Zone 8a
What to do in May
Your garden in Zone 8a is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Sow lentils in trays indoors
Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: 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 8a, the average last spring frost is around March 8 and the first fall frost is around November 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 255 days.
Lentils Planting Timeline — Zone 8a
Where Is USDA Zone 8a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 8a. Click any state to see the Lentils planting schedule for that location.
Lentils Planting Calendar — Zone 8a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 1 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Direct Sow | February 22 | Feb 22 – Mar 15 |
| Harvest | May 31 | May 31 – Jul 12 |
| Fall Sowing | September 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 8a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 8a 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
255 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 (~255 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
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
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 8a?
In Zone 8a, plan your Lentils planting around the average last frost date of March 8. Start seeds indoors around February 1. Direct sow outdoors around February 22. Transplant seedlings around March 8.
Can Lentils grow in Zone 8a?
Yes, Lentils can grow well in Zone 8a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 8a has a growing season of approximately 255 days, which is sufficient for Lentils (80-110 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Lentils in Zone 8a?
In Zone 8a, expect to harvest Lentils from May 31 – July 12. Lentils takes 80-110 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 8a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 8a is around March 8, and the first fall frost is around November 18. This gives a growing season of approximately 255 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.