When to Plant Lentils in USDA Zone 8b
May in the garden — Zone 8b
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- 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 8b, the average last spring frost is around February 25 and the first fall frost is around November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.
Lentils Planting Timeline — Zone 8b
Where Is USDA Zone 8b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 8b. Click any state to see the Lentils planting schedule for that location.
Lentils Planting Calendar — Zone 8b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 21 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Direct Sow | February 11 | Feb 11 – Mar 4 |
| Harvest | May 20 | May 20 – Jul 1 |
| Fall Sowing | September 19 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 8b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 8b 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
276 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 (~276 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 8b?
In Zone 8b, plan your Lentils planting around the average last frost date of February 25. Start seeds indoors around January 21. Direct sow outdoors around February 11. Transplant seedlings around February 25.
Can Lentils grow in Zone 8b?
Yes, Lentils can grow well in Zone 8b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 8b has a growing season of approximately 276 days, which is sufficient for Lentils (80-110 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Lentils in Zone 8b?
In Zone 8b, expect to harvest Lentils from May 20 – July 1. Lentils takes 80-110 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 8b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 8b is around February 25, and the first fall frost is around November 28. This gives a growing season of approximately 276 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.