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When to plant Lentils in Nome Census Area County,

Plant Lentils in Nome Census Area County, when soil hits 50°F — usually May 27. Continue planting through June 17 for the spring crop. A second sowing from June 10 to June 24 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Lentils in Nome Census Area, AK

Nome Census Area, Alaska Zone 3b June

Your June game plan for Nome Census Area, Alaska

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost June 3
Avg. first frost September 2
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 20.6 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant lentils

    Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.

  2. Get lentils in for a late-season harvest

    A row cover ready in the garage extends your harvest by weeks once the nights turn cold.

Get ahead of July
  • Starting indoors: lentils

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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.

Nome Census Area, Alaska is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost is September 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 91 days.

At an elevation of 2,593 feet, Nome Census Area receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 61°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lentils to ensure they mature before fall.

Nome Census Area, AK (Zone 3b) Very short season
91 days
Last Spring Frost June 3
91 growing days
First Fall Frost September 2

Nome Census Area Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Lentils Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 19 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 23 – Oct 4
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 22 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 1 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Sep 4 – Oct 16

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Nome Census Area

How your county's soil matches Lentils's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–6.7) is more acidic than Lentils prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Nome Census Area is excellent for Lentils — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Lentils prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (6.2%) — Lentils will thrive.

How to Plant Lentils

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Lentils Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
1.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Lentils

Lentils needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week (2.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Lentils Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 2.6" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Nome Census Area). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Lentils Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Lentils needs ~0 GDD — county provides 0 GDD May not mature

Lentils Planting Timeline — Nome Census Area, AK

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Transplant Outdoors June 3 Jun 3 – Jun 17
Direct Sow May 27 May 27 – Jun 17
Harvest August 26 Aug 26 – Oct 7
Fall Sowing June 10 Jun 10 – Jun 24

Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.6"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

80–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 3b

📆 Growing Season

91 days in Nome Census Area

Growing Tips for Lentils in Nome Census Area

Direct sow Lentils outdoors after June 03 in Nome Census Area when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 91.0-day growing season in Nome Census Area is tight for Lentils (80.0-110.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Lentils in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lentils in Nome Census Area, AK?

Nome Census Area is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of June 3. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nome Census Area, AK?

Nome Census Area, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is June 3 and first fall frost is September 2.

When should I plant Lentils in Nome Census Area County, ?

In Nome Census Area County, , plant Lentils after the last frost (around June 3) and before the first frost (around September 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Nome Census Area County, for Lentils?

Nome Census Area County sits in USDA Zone 3b. Lentils grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lentils grow in Nome Census Area County's climate?

Yes — Lentils grows well in Nome Census Area County's temperate climate. Nome Census Area County averages a 91-day frost-free season, with last frost around June 3 and first frost around September 2.

🌱

Your Nome Census Area Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Nome Census Area (Zone 3b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Nome Census Area, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.