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When to Plant Lentils in Zavala County, TX

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.

Zavala County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 4,905 feet, Zavala County receives approximately 59.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Lentils during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lentils root diseases.

Zavala County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 29

Zavala County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lentils Planting Timeline — Zavala County, TX

Lentils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Direct Sow February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 26
Harvest May 21 May 21 – Jul 2
Fall Sowing October 4 Oct 4 – Oct 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

276 days in Zavala County

Growing Tips for Zavala County

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 Zavala County, TX?

Zavala County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Lentils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Zavala County, TX?

Zavala County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 29.

🌱

Your Zavala County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Zavala 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.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Zavala County, TX. 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.