How to Grow CDC Baler
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CDC Baler
Lens culinaris
vegetableCDC Baler is a small-seeded, high-yielding lentil variety developed by the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. It produces small, green lentils with excellent agronomic performance and is widely grown as a pulse crop across the prairie regions of North America.
When should you plant CDC Baler in your zone?
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Example CDC Baler timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant CDC Baler
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest CDC Baler
Around Jul 11≈ 85 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact CDC Baler dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-5, particularly suited to cool-season prairie climates
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Seedling
10-14 daysEmergence of cotyledons and first true leaves; small, delicate plants with minimal branching
Ensure consistent moisture and protect from frost. Monitor for damping-off disease. Thin to proper spacing if necessary.
Vegetative Growth
25-35 daysRapid stem and leaf development; plants form bushy, branching structure with pinnate leaves; reaching 16-20 inches tall
Maintain weed-free conditions through mechanical cultivation or herbicides. Avoid over-fertilization with nitrogen. Monitor for foliar diseases.
Flowering
20-30 daysSmall pink, white, or pale purple flowers appear in leaf axils; flowering progresses from lower to upper nodes
Ensure adequate moisture during this critical stage for pod set. Monitor for aphids and spider mites. Do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Pod Development & Filling
25-35 daysSmall elongated pods develop containing 1-2 seeds each; pods mature from green to brown-tan color; seeds fill out
Maintain consistent moisture. Reduce irrigation as pods mature to aid desiccation. Monitor for Ascochyta blight and other pod diseases.
Harvest Maturity
5-10 daysPods turn brown and papery; seeds rattle inside pods; lower leaves shed; plants desiccate completely
Monitor moisture content of seeds (should reach 12-14% for storage). Begin harvesting when majority of pods have turned brown.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor regularly; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if populations exceed thresholds; encourage natural predators
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Early detection crucial; remove affected pods; use approved insecticides if necessary during flowering
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Increase humidity if possible; use miticides; encourage predatory mites
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Use disease-resistant varieties when possible; ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicides if needed
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Implement crop rotation; use disease-free seed; avoid waterlogged conditions
Uses
Cooked Legume & Soups
CulinaryCDC Baler lentils are versatile in the kitchen, used in soups, stews, salads, and side dishes. They cook relatively quickly (20-30 minutes) compared to larger lentil varieties and maintain their shape well during cooking. [source]
Protein-Rich Staple
CulinaryHigh in plant-based protein (approximately 25% by weight when dry) and dietary fiber, making them an excellent meat substitute and nutritious addition to vegetarian and vegan diets. [source]
Dietary Fiber & Blood Sugar Management
MedicinalLentils have a low glycemic index and their high soluble fiber content supports digestive health and helps stabilize blood glucose levels. [source]
Animal Feed & Livestock Nutrition
HouseholdLentil crops provide valuable forage and grain for livestock feed, contributing to sustainable agricultural systems and crop rotation benefits. [source]
Soil Improvement & Nitrogen Fixation
HouseholdAs a legume, CDC Baler establishes symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules, naturally enriching soil nitrogen and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers in subsequent crop rotations. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when 90% of pods have turned brown and are completely dry. Use a combine harvester for commercial production or hand-harvest by cutting stems near the base and letting them cure in windrows for 7-10 days before threshing. Seed moisture should be 12-14% for safe storage. Store in cool, dry conditions (50°F or below, <65% humidity).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 CDC Baler was specifically bred at the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre to thrive in Canada's prairie climate and achieve high yields under challenging growing conditions.
- 🌱 Lentils were among the first crops domesticated in the Near East alongside wheat and barley, dating back over 12,000 years, and remain a staple protein source for over a quarter of the world's population.
- 🌱 A single lentil plant can produce 15-20 small seeds per pod, and a mature plant may yield 100-200 pods, making them remarkably productive for their compact size.
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