lentils

[1066]

has anyone tried growing lentils - its more for the fun of it than anything else!
Did you have any luck? And can you recommend any varieties or tips?
I've found Franchi's sell seed - http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/364

Thanks 1066

[1066]

[asbean]

We regularly use them for sprouted seeds - for sandwiches, salads etc.  Haven't tried growing to full size, though.

[earlypea]

I was thinking similar thoughts after I read the book from Franchi.

If you search for lentils on this forum
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/vegging-out/

a lot of people there have tried it

I'm planning to try le Puy from supermarket ones next year.

[Baccy Man]

I don't think I would pay £4.99 for a 100g box of seed when lentils from a healthfood shop or supermaket grow so easily.
Start them indoors 2-3 weeks before your last frost date, soaking them overnight before planting seems to help them germinate faster. Plant seedlings 5" apart with rows 18" apart. They like well drained soil, not too rich or you get all leaf no pods. The plants grow to 18"-24" tall & benefit from some support (pea sticks). Pods mature in August/September. Yields are low, on average you only get 1-2 lentils in each pod with 100-150 pods per plant.
IMHO they are more useful grown as a green manure than a foodcrop.

[1066]

thanks for the replies and info (i always forget about sprouting seeds!)
Having done a bit of on-line searching I will give them a go but will use my own Puy lentils, to see if anything happens, and BaccyMan thanks for the planting info  :)
Also thought of trying some chick peas aswell ......

[manicscousers]

might have a look at this next year, got plenty of puy lentils  ;D

[1066]

manics  ;D  are you really sure you want more  ;) 

[plainleaf2]

according to john Jeavsons  book you need about 168 plants to produce 1 lb /0.45  kg of lentils and that is with exception production. I might fun to try but don't expect a huge harvest.

[manicscousers]

manics  ;D  are you really sure you want more  ;) 

they're realy good in soup 'n' stuff  ;D

[1066]

I find them really useful to have around aswell. It was the pictures of them growing that finally did it for me, the pods look so lovely  :)

like this one - http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/1993636042_2450e9844f.jpg