Which month is best for sowing lentils?

Hyacinthus lentil , also known as black-eyed pea or sword bean, belongs to the legume family and can be cultivated as a perennial or annual climbing plant. This plant is eaten by people for its tender pods and mature beans. It is not only nutritious but also has various medicinal values. Let’s learn together which month is the best for sowing lentils?

Which month is best for sowing lentils?

The most suitable growth temperature for lentils is about 22℃. Due to differences in climatic conditions in different places, the sowing time will be adjusted accordingly. In North China, lentil is usually sown in June; in the Yangtze River Basin, sowing is mostly between May and June. After about two months of growth, lentils can be harvested. Lentils prefer warm environments and are sensitive to cold, and frost may kill the plants. Despite this, lentils are not demanding in terms of water requirements and have strong drought resistance. In addition, lentils have a wide adaptability to soil. As long as good drainage conditions and fertile soil are ensured, soil with a pH value between 5.0 and 7.5 is suitable for planting.

Key points for growing lentils

Temperature: The suitable germination temperature for lentil seeds is 22-23℃. The plant can tolerate high temperatures of about 35°C, has strong drought resistance, and is adaptable to a wide range of soils.

Soil: Lentils prefer to grow in fertile, loose, well-drained soil. Planting in well-drained and fertile sandy or loam soil will give abundant yields.

Planting time : The planting time for lentils varies from region to region. In the southern region, planting is generally carried out from May to July in summer, while in North China, planting is usually carried out in June. The planting time in the Yangtze River Basin is from May to the end of July, and the fruits are put on the market in late August or early September; while the planting time in North China is mostly in June.

Sowing: You can evenly sow the lentil seeds directly on the prepared soil, then lightly cover it with a layer of soil and keep the soil moist. Loosen the soil appropriately after germination. You can also germinate the seeds in a seedling tray first, and then transplant them into the soil when the seedlings grow to 3-4 cm.

Trellising: Lentils are climbing vines and require trellises for cultivation. When the vine is 35 cm long, build an A-frame and guide the vine onto it.

Fertilization: Lentils require moderate amounts of fertilizer during their growth period. Nitrogen fertilizer can be applied in the early stage to promote growth, and phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer can be applied after flowering to promote fruiting.

Pest and disease control: Lentils are easily attacked by pests and diseases during their growth period, such as lentil mosaic disease, lentil spot disease, lentil aphids, etc. Pesticides should be sprayed regularly for prevention and control, or disease- and pest-resistant varieties should be selected for planting.

Harvesting: Lentils are usually harvested about 60-70 days after planting, when the pods turn yellow and dry. After harvesting, lentils need to be dried or dried for storage.

The above is an introduction to the sowing time of lentils. When planting lentils, you need to choose a suitable temperature environment, and there are actually many varieties of lentils to choose from.