When to Plant Lentils in Fallon County, MT
Your May game plan for Fallon County, Montana
A quick May briefing for Fallon County, Montana gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Transplant lentils outside
Frost risk is low now in Fallon County, Montana. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Put lentils seeds straight in the ground
Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Fall sowing: 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.
Fallon County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.
At an elevation of 6,441 feet, Fallon County receives approximately 19.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lentils to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lentils successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Fallon County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-8.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Fallon County
How your county's soil matches Lentils's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–8.3) overlaps with Lentils's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Fallon County is excellent for Lentils — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Lentils.
How to Plant Lentils
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.6" | 2.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 1.4" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 1.6" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.6" | 1.9" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 2.6" | 1.6" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Fallon County). 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 Planting Timeline — Fallon County, MT
Lentils Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 8 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 20 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Direct Sow | May 13 | May 13 – Jun 3 |
| Harvest | August 12 | Aug 12 – Sep 23 |
| Fall Sowing | June 28 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
123 days in Fallon County
Growing Tips for Lentils in Fallon County
Direct sow Lentils outdoors after May 20 in Fallon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 123.0-day growing season in Fallon County 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lentils in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lentils in Fallon County, MT?
Fallon County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Fallon County, MT?
Fallon County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 20.
Your Fallon County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Fallon County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.