How to Grow Lentils in the Garden

Select a site for your lentils. The soil may be of any type, but must be well-drained. Sandy loam soils are best. Obtain a soil test to determine the need for fertilizer and amendments. Lentils need phosphorus to help with nitrogen fixation. Ideally, the soil should offer phosphorus at 15 to 30 parts per million and potassium at 90 to 120 ppm. Till the soil to reduce weed competition and provide a uniform bed for the seed. Add any needed amendments, and adjust the soil pH to 7.0. You can fertilize in the fall or spring before planting.

Select the type of lentil seed you want to grow. Lentil seed varieties offer numerous variations, including color, habit, size, yield and protein content. Choose disease-free seed or seed that is adapted to perform well in your area for best results.

Inoculate your seed with Rhizobium leguminosarum within 24 hours before planting, then protect the seed from wind and heat until planted, recommends the University of Wisconsin Extension, which notes that a variety of inoculants are available. Inoculation allows the plants to fix their own nitrogen, helping with nodulation.

Plant in early spring. Lentils are a cool-season crop that matures during warm weather, so sow anytime from late April to early May or when the soil temperature exceeds 40 degrees F. Broadcast the seed or plant the seeds 1 1/2 inches deep in rows 6 to 7 inches apart. Weed your lentil patch regularly as your plants are growing, but use care as the plants are fragile.

Use a sickle or knife to cut the plants off at ground level once the lower pods of the plants rattle – even though the upper pods may not yet have attained maturity. The plants should turn a golden yellow color when ready for harvest. Thresh and winnow the plants after allowing them to dry for five to 10 days. Threshing methods vary, but one of the easiest is to spread a clean tarp on the ground and walk across the plants with your bare feet to separate the grain from the panicle. The seed stores best at 15 percent moisture.

Rotate crops in the space, planting lentils no more often than every four years. Avoid rotating lentils and crops such as canola, soybeans, sunflowers, sugar beets and potatoes, due to the potential for disease.