When to Plant Lentils in Lincoln County, OR
Your May gardening checklist
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Lincoln County, Oregon.
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Start lentils under lights
Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.
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.
Lincoln County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.
At an elevation of 267 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lentils to ensure they mature before fall.
Lincoln County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.5-6.4
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 Lincoln County
How your county's soil matches Lentils's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.5–6.4) is more acidic than Lentils prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lincoln County is excellent for Lentils — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) — Lentils will thrive.
How to Plant Lentils
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Lentils
Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 13 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 05.
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 | — | 6.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.6" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.6" | 2" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 2.6" | 1.5" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.6" | 0.6" | 2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.6" | 0.7" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 2.6" | 1.8" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 2.6" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 6.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 5.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lincoln 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 — Lincoln County, OR
Lentils Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 19 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Direct Sow | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 19 |
| Harvest | July 12 | Jul 12 – Aug 23 |
| Fall Sowing | September 5 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| 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 9a
📆 Growing Season
195 days in Lincoln County
Growing Tips for Lentils in Lincoln County
Direct sow Lentils outdoors after April 19 in Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, OR?
Lincoln County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lincoln County, OR?
Lincoln County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 31.
Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.