When to Plant Lentils in Lyon County, NV
August in Lyon County, Nevada — your action list
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this August, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Bring in the lentils
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
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Get lentils in for a late-season harvest
Keep young seedlings shaded and moist in summer heat. A row of taller crops works as natural shade.
Coming up in September — 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.
Lyon County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.
At an elevation of 4,379 feet, Lyon County receives approximately 17.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Lentils may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Lentils will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lentils successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Lyon County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
6.7-8.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Lentils 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 Lyon County
How your county's soil matches Lentils's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–8.2) overlaps with Lentils's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Lyon County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Lentils will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Lentils.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (0.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Lentils.
How to Plant Lentils
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Lentils
Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 22 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 01.
Lentils Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — 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" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.6" | 0.4" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.6" | 0.5" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 2.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 2.4" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 2.6" | 1.4" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lyon 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 — Lyon County, NV
Lentils Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 12 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Direct Sow | April 28 | Apr 28 – May 19 |
| Harvest | August 4 | Aug 4 – Sep 15 |
| Fall Sowing | August 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.6"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
80–110 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–8 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
151 days in Lyon County
Growing Tips for Lentils in Lyon County
Direct sow Lentils outdoors after May 12 in Lyon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Lyon County dries quickly — mulch Lentils with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
With summer highs reaching 101°F in Lyon County, provide afternoon shade for Lentils and water deeply in the morning.
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
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Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lentils in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lentils in Lyon County, NV?
Lyon County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lyon County, NV?
Lyon County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 10.
Your Lyon County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Lyon County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.