When to Plant Lentils in Coos County, NH
Your May gardening checklist
Your garden in Coos County, New Hampshire is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Get lentils in the ground
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
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Sow lentils where they'll grow
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
Looking ahead to June
- Starting indoors: 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.
Coos County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.
At an elevation of 604 feet, Coos County receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lentils to ensure they mature before fall.
Coos County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.6
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 Coos County
How your county's soil matches Lentils's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.6) is more acidic than Lentils prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Coos County is excellent for Lentils — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). 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
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 | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.6" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.6" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.6" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Coos 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 — Coos County, NH
Lentils Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Direct Sow | May 11 | May 11 – Jun 1 |
| Harvest | August 10 | Aug 10 – Sep 21 |
| Fall Sowing | July 8 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
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 |
| 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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
135 days in Coos County
Growing Tips for Lentils in Coos County
Direct sow Lentils outdoors after May 18 in Coos County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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 Coos County, NH?
Coos County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Coos County, NH?
Coos County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is September 30.
Your Coos County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Coos 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.