The Benefits of Growing Your Own Lentils
Lentils offer numerous health benefits when incorporated into a balanced diet. They are packed with plant-based protein, fiber, iron, potassium, and essential folate. By growing lentils yourself, you can ensure access to the freshest, organic lentils possible. Homegrown lentils have not been treated with any synthetic pesticides or chemicals. This gives you full control over the quality and safety of the lentils you and your family consume.
On top of health benefits, growing your own lentils is good for the environment. Store-bought lentils often involve substantial transportation miles to get from the farm to your local grocery store. However, home-grown lentils eliminate these transportation emissions since they don’t need to go far. Growing lentils is also an extremely sustainable endeavor since they require minimal water usage compared to other crops. Lentils are nitrogen fixers, so they actually boost soil health rather than deplete the soil’s nutrients. This makes lentil plants great for crop rotation systems.
You’ll also benefit financially by cultivating your own lentil yield each season. Purchasing dry lentils and canned lentil soups from the grocery store can quickly become expensive, especially if you cook with lentils frequently. With a productive lentil crop grown right in your backyard, you’ll have an abundant, year-round source of these nutritious legumes. Any extra lentils can also be cooked up into tasty homemade soups and purees for babies or elderly family members.
Choosing the Best Lentil Varieties
When selecting which lentil variety is right for your garden, consider factors like your regional climate, intended use, and growth requirements.
Here is an overview of some top lentil varieties:
Green Lentils
- Versatile lentil with mild, nutty flavor
- Holds shape well when cooked, great for salads and stews
- Matures in 85-100 days
Red Lentils
- Fast-cooking with mild sweetness
- Recommended for Indian dhals, purees, soups
- Reaches maturity in just 70-90 days
Black Lentils
- Striking black color and rich, earthy taste
- Firm texture retains shape during cooking
- Matures in 90-110 days
This table outlines some quick facts about popular lentil varieties:
| Lentil Variety | Description | Growth Time |
| Green Lentils | Mild, nutty flavor. Holds shape well. Good for salads and stews. | 85-110 days |
| Red Lentils | Sweet flavor. Cooks quickly. Best for soups, purees, curries. | 70-90 days |
| Black Lentils | Earthy taste. Retains shape when cooked. Nice texture and color. | 90-110 days |
Consider your regional growing conditions, intended use for the lentils, and flavor preferences when selecting the variety to cultivate. Growing multiple types of lentils can allow for diverse lentil dish options all season long.
Preparing Optimal Soil Conditions
Lentil plants thrive in slightly acidic soil with plenty of organic matter. Here are some tips for getting your planting beds into prime shape before sowing lentil seeds:
- Test soil pH: Use an at-home soil testing kit and aim for a pH between 6.0-7.0. Adjust as needed with lime or sulfur.
- Clear area and remove weeds: Eliminate competing plants that could inhibit lentil growth.
- Mix in aged compost or manure: Incorporate to a depth of 6-8 inches to enrich soil nutrients and structure.
- Break up compacted soil: Use a tiller or garden fork to ensure adequate aeration and root penetration.
- Level the surface: Lightly rake to create an even planting bed for uniform germination.
- Gently water the soil: Moisten the entire area before planting to enhance contact between seeds and soil.
By tailoring the soil specifically to meet lentils’ preferences, your seeds will get off to the best start. This establishes the foundation for maximizing the yield and quality of your home-grown lentil crop.
When and How to Plant Lentil Seeds
One of the beauties of growing lentils is that they can be planted directly by seed, eliminating the need to germinate seedlings and transplant them into the garden. Follow these simple steps for planting lentil seeds:
- Wait 2-3 weeks after the final spring frost date. Lentils thrive in cool conditions but cannot withstand a freeze.
- Sow lentil seeds 1-2 inches deep. This puts them close enough to the surface to still emerge reliably.
- Space rows 12-18 inches apart to allow for weeding/airflow between rows.
- Space seeds 2-4 inches apart within each row.
- Place seeds beneath soaker or drip irrigation hoses. These controlled watering systems prevent erosion of seeds/seedlings.
- Consider innoculating seeds with rhizobium inoculant. This boosts nitrogen fixation for better plant growth.
- Cover rows with horticulture fabric row covers. This protects young sprouts from insect damage and heat stress.
- Monitor soil moisture daily and water gently when top inch becomes dry. Avoid waterlogging.
You can succession plant small batches of lentil seeds every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Just be mindful of the “days to maturity” for the lentil variety you are growing to determine optimal planting times.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Caring for growing lentil plants encompasses a variety of maintenance tasks:
Sunlight and Temperature Needs
Lentils grow best in full sunlight. Select a garden site that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sun exposure daily. Lentils also prefer consistent cool temperatures around 70°F once germinated. Consider providing shade cloth shelters if summer heat typically exceeds 80°F in your area.
Water Requirements
Establish drip irrigation with timers or line up trustworthy helpers for garden care while on summer vacations. Overlooking water needs for even a few days during flowering or seed production can drastically reduce yields.
Weed Control
Due to lentils’ low stature and shallow roots, they cannot compete well with weeds. Weed early and often to prevent nutrient and moisture competition. Mulch around plants or utilize landscape fabric once plants are 4-6 inches tall. Just be sure mulch does not contact the stems.
Providing Supports for Proper Growth
Many lentil varieties are crawlers. As plants reach maturity, stems intertwine and heavy seed heads cause lodging (plants toppling over). Support systems prevent contact with soil and improve air circulation to minimize disease. Use cages, trellises or tepees with 3-4 inch openings.
Fertilization Needs
In general, lentils should not need additional fertilizer, especially when planted in properly amended garden beds. However, plants may benefit from one or two light applications of a balanced organic fertilizer during early vegetative stages if vigor seems inadequate.
Common Pests and Diseases
Some insects and diseases impact lentil growth:
- Flea beetles: Small holes in leaves reduce photosynthesis
- Thrips: Distorted growth and silver lesions on leaves
- Soybean cyst nematode: Root damage and nutrient deficiencies
- Anthracnose: Black sunken lesions on stems and leaves
- Rust: Reddish bumps on leaves that rupture into rusty spore dust
Closely inspect plants weekly and use organic neem oil, insecticidal soap or Bt at the first signs of infestation. Promote beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to manage minor pest populations. Promptly remove and destroy any severely infected plants to limit spread.
Environmental Challenges
Fluctuating weather, waterlogging, and soil chemistry changes can stress plants. Monitor soil moisture levels routinely and provide sufficient irrigation without oversaturating soil. Seek sheltered garden microclimates for some protection from pounding rain, extreme heat and wind pressure. Test soil pH annually and amend accordingly to maintain optimal range.
How to Know When Lentils Are Ready for Picking
Lentils typically take 80-115 days to progress from seed to mature pod depending on variety. Gauge harvest readiness using these indicators:
- Pods turn yellowish-brown as seeds fully develop
- Lower leaves and vines lose vigor and begin drying out
- Seeds visible inside translucent pods appear round, plump and firm
- Swollen seed pods feel brittle and crisp when squeezed gently
- Inside seeds detach easily from pod walls without excessive force
- Sample seeds taste firm versus soft and starch versus raw
- Seed moisture content reads below 14% on a hay moisture tester
Harvest lentils promptly once mature to prevent seed loss from rupturing pods. If heavy rain threatens before lentils dry adequately in pods, gently pull entire plants and hang bundled upside down indoors until fully cured.
Harvesting Techniques
Approach lentil harvesting gently to avoid unintended seed dispersal:
- Uproot entire plants carefully by grasping lower stems
- Invert bundles over bins, rubbing pods between palms to separate seeds
- Leave removed plants in garden to decompose and nourish soil
- Sort through harvested seeds and discard undeveloped pods/seeds and debris
- Funnel lentils into labeled airtight containers for storage after seeds fully dry
You can thresh out lentil seeds by hand or utilize a specialized mechanical thresher if growing large volumes. Wear gloves to prevent repetitive stress injuries during hand threshing.
Post-Harvest Storage
The goal of lentil storage is maintaining seed viability and flavor. Follow these post-harvest procedures:
- Verify seed moisture under 14% using a moisture meter before sealing containers
- Store cured lentil seeds in cool (60-70°F), dark, and extremely dry conditions
- Place seeds in breathable containers like burlap sacks or wire mesh bins
- In humid climates, use desiccant packs/dehumidifiers to prevent moisture accumulation
- For impermeable glass/plastic containers, insert oxygen absorbers and monitor for condensation
- Label all containers with variety name and year harvested for easy identification
With ideal storage conditions, dried lentil seeds remaining sealed in containers maintain viability for up to four years. The best practice is rotating stored lentils into recipes annually rather than holding any seeds longer than two years to retain premium quality.
Delicious Ways to Use Your Lentil Bounty
Once you harvest home-grown lentils, it’s time to put them to use in appetizing recipes. Lentils offer exceptional versatility. They shine in soups, curries, veggie burgers, casseroles, salads and more! Here are some tasty ideas:
Warming Lentil Soups
Puree red lentils with carrots, onions and bold spices for Indian dal soup. Simmer green lentils with bone broth, tomatoes and kale for a nourishing, protein-packed wintertime soup.
Plant-Based Lentil Burgers
Bind together cooked black lentils, walnuts, sautéed mushrooms and onions along with breadcrumbs and an egg for robust veggie burger patties even meat-lovers will enjoy. Bake or grill and serve on buns with all your favorite burger toppings.
Rainbow Lentil Salad
Toss gently cooked green, red and black lentils together with chopped parsley, diced red onion, crumbled feta, and a red wine vinaigrette. The combinations of colors, flavors and textures make this hearty salad shine.
Coconut Curried Lentils
Sauté diced sweet potato, peppers and spinach along with red lentils and coconut milk. Season the mélange with curry powder, coriander, cumin and ginger. Spoon this over brown rice for a nutritious weeknight dinner.
The possibilities are unlimited when preparing your home-grown lentil harvest. Get creative with global flavors and ingredients. Freeze extra portions of lentil dishes for quick future meals. Most importantly, take pride and joy from nurturing your personal lentil crop from seed to table.
Nurture Lentils and They Will Nurture You in Return
Cultivating lentils rewards gardeners with an exceptionally nutritious, sustainable crop grown with minimal effort. These hardy legumes practically care for themselves with proper soils and rotations. Home-grown lentils surpass store-bought taste and quality too. An added gardening bonus comes from lentils fixing their own nitrogen, boosting soil nutrition for following crops. With so many excellent lentil varieties now available, gardeners can produce diverse lentil types for enjoying year-round in salads, plant-based meals, veggie burgers, tacos, hearty soups and more. For little tending, lentils yield abundant harvests of scrumptious seeds that will keep your family nourished. Discover for yourself the joys of nurturing lentils in your own backyard.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What soil pH do lentils prefer?
Lentils grow best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Test garden beds before planting and amend pH with lime or sulfur as needed.
2. Can you grow lentils in containers?
Some compact lentil varieties can thrive in 2-3 foot deep containers with drainage holes. Use potting mix amended with compost. Site containers in full sun.
3. How much water do lentils need?
Newly planted lentils require consistent moisture for germination and early growth. Established plants still need 1-2 inches of water per week from rain or irrigation during flowering and pod formation when heat is intense.
4. What are signs my lentils need more fertilizer?
Slow growth, yellowing leaves, or lack of vigor may indicate nutrient deficiencies. Have soil tested to identify specific needs before applying organic fertilizers. Most properly prepared garden beds will not need extra feeding.
5. When is the best time to harvest lentils?
Begin checking lentil pods around 80 days after sprouting. Harvest when lower foliage dies back, pods are brittle and brown, and seeds inside fill pods snugly. Lentil seeds should taste firm, not starchy or soft.
6. How long do harvested lentils last?
Cured lentil seeds kept sealed in breathable containers under cool, dark, and very dry conditions can retain viability for four years, though flavor and nutrition decline over time. For peak quality and taste, use stored lentils within one to two years.
7. What pests attack lentil plants?
Watch for aphids, thrips, flea beetles and cutworms. Handpick visible insects and use insecticidal soap sprays, neem oil or spinosad for heavy infestations. For rabbits and deer, erect fences around lentil beds.
8. Why are my lentil flowers falling off?
Hot, dry weather causes lentil blossoms to abort. Ensure plants receive 1-2 inches of water per week from seed set through harvest period. Light shade cloth can protect plants too.
9. Can you save seeds from lentil plants?
Absolutely! Allow a few plants per variety to fully mature. Harvest seeds once pods are brown and crispy. Dry further, then seal seeds in envelopes to store for spring planting.
10. What is the best way to cook lentils?
Most lentil varieties cook within 30-60 minutes once simmering. Red lentils break down completely when cooked for delicious curries and soups. Larger green and black varieties hold shape nicely for lentil salads, sides, veggie burgers and more. Experiment with different cooking liquids and global seasonings too.
