Lentil plants, like many other crops, have been cultivated for thousands of years, spreading from their native Mediterranean region to most of the world's nations. Dried lentil seeds are packed full of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. They are also known as pulses. Through their roots, lentil plants themselves can enrich the soil with nitrogen. Plant, grow, and harvest lentils in your garden with the help of this guide.
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| How Lentils Are Grown and Harvested: Expert Tips |
Where to Plant Lentil Plants
Because of their small size and rapid growth rate, lentils are a great crop to grow in gardens or even pots. Although they don't mind what kind of soil they grow in, these hardy plants do need good drainage. They also require a location free from weeds and other competing plants, as well as one with plenty of sunlight. Planting a large patch of lentils is a good idea because of their small size and low yield per plant.
Similar to other legumes, planting lentil plants close to alliums like garlic, onions, and chives should be avoided since these plants have a tendency to increase soil sulfur levels, which can stunt the growth of lentils in sufficiently high concentrations. Instead, plant buckwheat alongside lentils. Like lentils, buckwheat improves soil by absorbing nitrogen from the atmosphere and converting it into nutrients that plants can use. Cucumbers and potatoes are two more excellent companion plants.
How and When to Plant Lentil Plants
Plants are usually grown from fall to winter in warmer climates; in colder climates, seeds can be sown in the spring before summer heat arrives. Direct seeding into the garden is recommended two to three weeks prior to the last date of frost in your region. Planting too early is usually not a problem because seedlings are resistant to cold and frost. On the other hand, planting too late may impede plant development and reduce yield.
To plant lentil seeds:
- Clear the area of any weeds and possible rival plants to prepare the soil for gardening.
- Before planting, lightly moisten the lentil seeds and sprinkle them with Rhizobium leguminosarum, making sure that every seed has a thin layer of the bacterium on it.
- Plant one or two lentils about an inch below the surface of the soil in rows spaced at least 12 inches apart. To ensure adequate air circulation around the plants as they grow, space each planting approximately 5 inches apart.
- Give the soil some water and keep it moist for about a week, or until seedlings start to appear.
Essential Care Tips for Lentil Plants
Light Sunlight is necessary for lentil plants (8+ hours per day). The plants may grow lanky and yield fewer flowers in lower light levels.
Water and Soil
Because of their symbiotic relationship with bacteria that helps them draw nitrogen from the air, lentil plants can grow in rocky, sandy, and loamy soils. Before planting, apply compost to improve compacted soils. Throughout the growing season, the soil should be evenly watered, but in between applications, it should be allowed to drain and completely dry out to prevent waterlogging and other problems like root rot. Stop watering the plants once the pods turn brown to allow them to dry out and die back before harvest.
Humidity and Temperature
Cool-weather is ideal for lentil plants to grow, and higher temperatures cause them to struggle. Similarly, low humidity is preferred by lentil plants, and humid, stagnant air can lead to fungal infection outbreaks of all kinds.
Apply fertilizer
These legumes don't require heavy fertilizer applications, and inoculated lentil plants can thrive in soils deficient in nutrients. However, in poor soils, yields may suffer. In this situation, a small application of nitrogen fertilizer may be beneficial.
Pruning
To promote bushier plants, prune the lentil seedlings along the central lead; however, this is not required and may result in excessive growth that obstructs airflow and raises the risk of fungal infections.
Problems and Pests
Although they are very resilient, lentils are susceptible to aphids and other insect pests, fungal infections from high humidity, and root rot from overwatering.
Thinning plants to improve airflow and using organic fungicides like copper spray and neem oil are two ways to treat fungal infections. Use insecticidal soap to treat insect pests.
Harvesting Lentils
Harvesting Lentil Plants
When the pods at the base of the plant start to turn brown, lentils are ready to be harvested. Give plants no more water and let them dry out even more. Plants can be harvested whole by grabbing the base of the plant and pulling it straight out of the soil when it has started to wither. Be cautious not to crack pods and spill the seeds within.
Harvesting Lentil Pods
- Plants should be harvested and then put on a table or upside down in a bucket.
- Till the plants are completely dried, place them in the sun or a well-ventilated room for approximately one week.
- Gather pods and seeds from plants by thrashing the plants inside a bucket or manually plucking the plants and splitting them open over the bucket.
- To separate the lentil seeds from the leaves and other debris, give the bucket a shake. The leaves and stems that are lighter will rise to the top and can be cut off.
How to Propagate Lentil Plants
Annual plants, lentils are grown from seeds. To plant again the next season, saved harvested lentils can be kept dry and cool. As opposed to other garden plants like corn or squash, which frequently contaminate gene pools when planted close to one another, lentils have a low incidence of cross-pollination.
Lentil Types
Lentils come in a variety of varieties if you plant them yourself. Many varieties of lentils come in numerous colors—hues of green, yellow, orange and red, brown, black, and mottled—and sizes ranging from extra small to large. Some varieties are more common than others despite the diversity.
Brown Lentils
One of the most popular varieties of lentils is brown lentils. According to Rebecca J. McGee, Ph.D., a research geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, "brown lentils have a brown seed coat with numerous very small, darkly pigmented dots." "The seeds are more rounded than other lentils and are small."
Red Lentils
The seed leaf inside the seed embryo is called a cotyledon, and red lentils have them. "They are usually sold decorticated (seed coat removed) and split," McGee explains. "Seed size can vary from very small to medium-large."
Green Lentils
With a green seed coat and yellow cotyledons, green lentils are another well-liked variety. "They can be small, medium, or large in size," McGee explains. "They are typically sold whole."
Commonly Asked Questions
Are lentils toxic?
Lentils are safe to eat when cooked, but there is a protein called lectin present in different amounts in raw lentils and pods. Lectin can lead to a number of digestive problems when consumed in large enough doses.
Are poles or other supports necessary for lentil plants?
Although lentils do have tendrils, they are bushy, upright plants that do not require extra assistance.
Why do lentils have various colors?
Lentils are available in a wide range of hues, including green, brown, black, yellow, and red, much like other crop plants. Although the nutritional value and flavor of these lentils vary slightly, they are primarily grown in the same manner.