How and when to plant lentils

Lentil planting time and month

Lentils can be planted in succession after mid-January, but the climate in each region is different, so the planting time should be adjusted according to the local climate. For example, it is carried out from May to July in the Yangtze River Basin and in June in North China. The germination temperature of lentils is between 20 and 25 degrees. It will develop poorly if it is below 15 degrees, and it will stop growing if it is below 10 degrees.

When to plant lentils in spring

The climate in spring is higher, so it is more suitable for the growth of lentils. It is necessary to increase the supply of fertilizer to ensure adequate nutrition and allow the plants to grow faster. It is best to choose some high-quality soil and fertilizer, which will better help their growth. When you start sowing, you can apply potassium fertilizer, and this time the fertilizer can generally be applied directly to the planting hole we dug.

When to plant lentils in summer

Lentils are cultivated in the open field in summer from May to July. They can tolerate high temperatures of around 35 degrees. They have a strong and developed root system and are adaptable to various soils, but are most suitable for planting in well-drained, fertile sandy soil or loam.

When to plant lentils in autumn

Generally, lentils are planted in autumn by sowing and raising seedlings in early October. The seedlings are 25 to 30 days old, and are transplanted and planted in November. They begin to pod in late December, and the peak harvest period is from February to May of the following spring.

When to plant lentils in winter

Lentils can be grown in greenhouses in winter. They are mostly planted in the northern regions. They are planted from mid-to-late December to early to mid-January of the following year. Pay attention to temperature control in the greenhouse.

Lentil planting methods and steps

The suitable germination temperature for lentil seeds is 22 to 23 degrees. The temperature should not be too high or too low. The plant is relatively resistant to high temperatures, but it still needs timely cooling and shading in summer. It is suitable for planting in fertile, loose, well-drained sandy soil or loam.

1. Seed selection and sowing

Before planting lentils, you need to choose good quality seeds and apply well-rotted farmyard manure as base fertilizer to the soil. The fertilizer should be mixed evenly with the soil. Lentils are drought-resistant and watering can be controlled during the seedling stage. They have a high demand for water during the vine extension stage and the pod setting stage, so they need to be watered frequently. Water 1-2 times during the vine extension stage and once every 10 days during the flowering and pod setting period.

2. Pest and disease control

Common pests of lentils are aphids and pod borers. If aphids appear, you can spray imidacloprid and acetamiprid. Pod borers can be controlled by spraying pyrethroids or fenitrothion on the leaves. Change the spray once a week to avoid the development of drug resistance.