When to Plant Lentils in Silver Bow County, MT
May to-do list for Silver Bow County, Montana
Your garden in Silver Bow County, Montana is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- Transplants going out: lentils
- Direct-sowing: lentils
- 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.
Silver Bow County, Montana is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 15 and the first fall frost is September 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 84 days.
At an elevation of 5,305 feet, Silver Bow County receives approximately 14.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°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.
Silver Bow County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-8.3
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 Silver Bow County
How your county's soil matches Lentils's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.6–8.3) overlaps with Lentils's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Silver Bow County is excellent for Lentils — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Lentils.
How to Plant Lentils
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 2.6" | 0.9" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 1.1" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.6" | 1.8" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 2.6" | 1.1" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Silver Bow 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 — Silver Bow County, MT
Lentils Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 11 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 15 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 |
| Direct Sow | June 1 | Jun 1 – Jun 22 |
| Harvest | September 7 | Sep 7 – Oct 19 |
| Fall Sowing | June 29 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Start Indoors |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | — |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
84 days in Silver Bow County
Growing Tips for Lentils in Silver Bow County
Direct sow Lentils outdoors after June 15 in Silver Bow County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 84.0-day growing season in Silver Bow 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 Silver Bow County, MT?
Silver Bow County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 15. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Silver Bow County, MT?
Silver Bow County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 15 and first fall frost is September 7.
Your Silver Bow County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Silver Bow County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.