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How to Plant and Grow Lentils

This hearty legume can help replenish nutrients in your garden soil.

By | Published on February 8, 2023

Where to Plant

Planting Tips

Care

Pests and Problems

Harvesting

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PHOTO: INAHWEN / GETTY IMAGES

Like many other crops, lentils have been grown for thousands of years
and have been spread from their native Mediterranean to most
countries throughout the world. The edible seeds of lentils are
commonly referred to as pulses and contain high amounts of vitamins,
minerals, protein, and �ber. And lentil plants themselves have the ability
to improve the soil by adding nitrogen to it through their roots. Use this
guide to plant, grow, and harvest lentils in your own garden.

Lentil Overview

Lens culinaris

Lentil

Annual

Sun

12 to 24 Inches

12 to 24 Inches

Blue, Pink, Purple, White

Blue/Green

Seed

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Lentils can easily be grown in gardens or even in pots due to their quick

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growth rate and small size. These hardy plants aren't too picky about
soil types, but do require good drainage. They also need a spot where
they'll get lots of sunlight and won't have to compete with other crops
and weeds. Because of their small size and low yield per plant, it is a
good idea to plant a large patch of lentils.

As with other legumes, planting lentils near alliums such as onions,

garlic, and chives should be avoided because they tend to build up
sulfur in the soil, which in large enough concentrations can inhibit the
growth of lentils.

How and When to Plant Lentils

In warmer climates, plants are typically grown fall through winter while in
colder climates, seeds can be sown in spring prior to the arrival of
summer heat. Seeds should be sown directly into the garden about two
to three weeks prior to the last frost date for your area. Seedlings are
resistant to cold temperatures and frost, so planting too early is not
usually an issue. In contrast, planting too late can hinder the growth of
plants and cut down on production.

To sow lentil seeds:

Prepare garden soil by removing all weeds and other potential

competitors.

Inoculate lentil seeds with Rhizobium leguminosarum prior to

planting by lightly wetting seeds and sprinkling the bacterium so
that all seeds are lightly coated.

In rows at least 12 inches apart, push 1 to 2 lentils into the soil about
1 inch below the surface. Give about 5 inches between each
planting to allow for good air circulation around plants as they
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Water soil and keep moist until seedlings begin to appear within
about a week.
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about a week.

Care Tips for Lentils

Light
Lentils require full sun (8+ hours per day). In less light, the plants may
become leggy and won't produce as many �owers.

Soil and Water

Lentils can grow in loamy, sandy, and even rocky soils, thanks to their
symbiotic relationship with bacteria that help them pull nitrogen from
the air. Compacted soils can be improved by applying compost prior
to planting. Watering should be even throughout the growing season
but allowed to drain and dry thoroughly between applications to avoid
waterlogging the soil, which can lead to root rot and other issues. Once
pods begin to turn brown, stop watering so that plants can begin to die
back and dry out prior to harvest.

7 Watering Mistakes That Could Sabotage Your Vegetable Garden

Temperature and Humidity

Lentils grow well in cool weather and begin to su�er in higher
temperatures. Likewise, lentils prefer lower humidity levels, and
stagnant, humid air can cause outbreaks of various types of fungal
infections.

Fertilizer
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Heavy applications of fertilizer are not necessary for these legumes and
inoculated lentil plants will survive in even nutrient-poor soils. However,

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inoculated lentil plants will survive in even nutrient-poor soils. However,

yields can su�er in poor soils. Adding a light dose of nitrogen fertilizer
can be helpful in this case.

Pruning
Lentil seedlings can be pruned along the central lead to encourage
bushier plants, but this is not necessary and can lead to excessive
growth that blocks air�ow and increases the risk of fungal infections.

Pests and Problems

Lentils are exceptionally hardy but can be prone to fungal infections
from high humidity, root rot from excessive watering, and insect pests
such as aphids.

Fungal infections can be treated by thinning plants to increase air�ow

and by applying organic fungicides such as neem oil and copper spray.
Treat insect pests with insecticidal soap.

Harvesting Lentils
Lentils can be harvested when the pods at the base of the plant begin
to turn brown. Stop watering plants and allow them to dry further. When
plants have begun to wither, they can be harvested by grabbing the
base of the plant and pulling directly from the soil as a whole. Care
should be taken not to break apart pods and lose the seeds inside.

After harvesting plants, place them on a table or upside down in a

bucket. Place drying plants in the sun or a well-ventilated room for
about one week until plants have fully dried. Harvest pods and seeds
from plants by plucking them by hand and splitting them open over the
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bucket, or thrashing the plants inside a bucket. Separate out the leaves
and other debris from the lentil seeds by shaking the bucket until the
lighter stems and leaves to move to the top, where they can be
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lighter stems and leaves to move to the top, where they can be
removed.

How to Propagate Lentils

Lentils are annual plants grown from seed. Harvested lentils can be
saved and stored in a cool, dry location for planting the following
season. Due to a low incidence of cross-pollination, di�erent varieties
of lentils can be planted near each other without contaminating gene
pools, as often happens with other garden plants such as corn or
squash.

Frequently Asked Questions

While cooked lentils are safe for consumption, raw lentils and
pods contain varying amounts of a protein known as lectin. In
large enough quantities, lectin can cause various digestive
issues.

While lentils do produce tendrils, they are upright and bushy

plants and do not need additional support.

Just as there are many di�erent varieties of other crop plants,

lentils come in many di�erent colors such as green, brown, black,
yellow, and red. These lentils vary somewhat in �avor and in
nutritional content but are mostly grown in the same way.

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