Blog

When to Plant Lentils in Yorkton, SK

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.

Yorkton, Saskatchewan is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 1,633 feet, Yorkton receives approximately 12.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly dark brown chernozem soil. Summer highs average 71°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.

Yorkton, SK (Zone 4a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Yorkton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Dark Brown Chernozem

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lentils Planting Timeline — Yorkton, SK

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 – May 31
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 – May 31
Harvest August 9 Aug 9 – Sep 20
Fall Sowing July 12 Jul 12 – Jul 26

Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

80–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

140 days in Yorkton

Growing Tips for Yorkton

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

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lentils in Yorkton, SK?

Yorkton is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yorkton, SK?

Yorkton, Saskatchewan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 4.

🌱

Your Yorkton Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Yorkton (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Yorkton, SK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.