Field guide
How to grow lentils: planting, care, and harvest guide
Lentils typically reaches first harvest in 80–110 days. This guide covers when to plant by USDA zone, common pests, harvest cues, and companion plants where relevant.
Open plannerWhen to plant lentils by USDA zone group
- USDA Zones 1–4 — May to June
- USDA Zones 5–6 — April to May
- USDA Zones 7–8 — March to April
- USDA Zones 9–10 — February to March
- USDA Zones 11–13 — October to February
Companion plants
Good companions: Carrots, Sweet Corn, Cucumbers
Avoid planting with: Onions, Garlic
Harvest
When to pick
- Pods are filled but still tender for fresh eating
- Dry beans rattle in fully brown pods
How: Pick fresh pods frequently or pull dry pods before wet weather.
Storage: Refrigerate fresh pods. Dry shell beans completely before sealed storage.
Common pests and problems
Bean beetles and aphids
Signs: Skeletonized leaves, chewed pods, or sticky new growth
Control: Hand-pick early infestations, rotate beds, and use insect netting before flowering.
About this field guide
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