How to Plant and Grow Lentil Plants

Like many crops, lentil plants have been grown for thousands of years and have spread from their native Mediterranean to most countries throughout the world. Not only do the plants produce lentils, edible seeds with a high amount of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber, they also improve the soil by adding nitrogen to it through their roots.

Whether you want to grow lentils as a cover crop or to harvest lentils, here is what you need to know about planting and growing these legumes.

Where to Plant Lentil Plants

Lentils are hardy plants that aren’t picky about soil types but they require good drainage. They also need a spot where they’ll receive 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 recommended to plant a large patch.

As with other legumes, avoid planting lentil plants near alliums such as onions, garlic, and chives because they tend to build up sulfur in the soil, which, in large enough concentrations, may inhibit the growth of lentils. Instead, plant lentils with buckwheat, which works like lentils to improve the soil by pulling nitrogen from the atmosphere and converting it to plant-available nutrients. Other good companion plants are potatoes and cucumbers.

How and When to Plant Lentil Plants

It takes 80 to 100 days to grow a lentil crop. In warmer climates, plants are typically grown from fall through winter. In colder climates, seeds are sown in spring, about two to three weeks before the last frost date for your area. Seedlings are resistant to cold temperatures and frost, so planting too early is not usually an issue. By contrast, planting too late may hinder plant growth and reduce yields.

Seeds should be sown directly into the garden and planted as follows:

1. Prepare garden soil by removing all weeds and other potential competitors.
2. Inoculate lentil seeds with Rhizobium leguminosarum before planting. Lightly wet the seeds and sprinkle them with the inoculant so all the seeds are lightly coated. 
3. Push 1 to 2 lentils into the soil about 1 inch below the surface. Space each planting about 5 inches apart and rows at least 12 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.
4. Water soil and keep moist until seedlings begin to appear in about a week. 

Lentil Plant Care Tips

Light

Lentil plants require full sun for 8 hours or more every day. In less light, the plants may become leggy and won’t produce as many flowers.

Soil and Water

Deep, loamy, sandy soil is ideal for lentils though they grow even in rocky soils, thanks to their symbiotic relationship with bacteria that help them pull nitrogen from the air. If your soil is compacted, improve it by incorporating compost before planting.

The plants are fairly drought-tolerant. However, for the best yield, they should receive an even amount of water throughout the growing season. To avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root rot and other issues, it is important to let the soil dry out between waterings.

When the pods begin to turn brown, stop watering so let the plants die back and dry out before harvest. 

Temperature and Humidity

Lentil plants grow well in cool weather and suffer in hot weather and high humidity levels. Stagnant, humid air increases the risk of outbreaks of various types of fungal infections.

Fertilizer

Heavy applications of fertilizer are not necessary for these legumes, and inoculated lentil plants will survive in even nutrient-poor soils. However, yields are lower in poor soil and a light dose of nitrogen fertilizer may be helpful in this case.

Pruning

There is no need to prune the plants. However, if you realize that you have planted them too densely, thin out the seedlings and only keep the strongest ones.

Pests and Problems

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

To prevent fungal infections, thin the plants to increase airflow. If the infection is severe, apply organic fungicides such as neem oil and copper spray.

Harvesting Lentils

Pulling the Lentil Plants

Lentils are ready to be harvested when the pods at the base of the plant begin to turn brown. Stop watering the plants and allow them to dry further. When plants begin to wither, grab the base and pull the whole plant out of the soil. removing it entirely. Be careful not to break apart the pods and lose the seeds inside. 

Curing and Separating the Lentils

• After harvesting the plants, place them on a table or upside down in a bucket.
• Place the plants in the sun or a well-ventilated room for about a week until the plants have fully dried.
• Harvest pods and seeds from plants by plucking them by hand and splitting them open over the bucket or thrashing the plants inside the bucket.
• Shake the bucket to separate the leaves and other debris from the lentil seeds. The lentils drop to the bottom and the lighter stems and leaves move to the top where they are easily removed. 

How to Propagate Lentil Plants

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, different varieties of lentils can be planted near each other without contaminating gene pools (unlike other garden crops such as corn or squash.