If you harvest the lentils during rainy or wet weather, they may not dry out properly.
Don’t try to wait for the top pods to mature if the bottom pods are ready. Most of your harvest will come from the lower pods. If you wait too long, they may shatter. [3] X Research source
Different products may vary in how long they take to desiccate the plant. Always read the label see how long you need to give the plants, and follow all instructions as you use the product. Check in advance to ensure that the product you purchased is safe to use on foods. While this can help dry out pods, it will not make immature pods ripen faster. It will help speed up the drying process, however, if you live in an area with a short growing season.
It is a good idea to wear gardening gloves as you do this to protect your hands.
This works well if you want to speed up the drying process without the use of chemical desiccants. It does require the right type of weather, however.
This is also a good idea if the weather is very windy. Wind can damage lentil plants that have been pulled up from the ground. If you have picked your plants but have noticed that some are still unripe, you can let them ripen and dry out using this same method. Leave them to dry until the pods turn brown or yellow and rattle when shaken.
Threshing can also help shell the lentils, breaking them away from their pods.
Try rubbing off any remaining pods. Put the stem in the palm of your hand and use your fingers to separate the lentils. If the lentils don’t fall off easily, they may not be ripe enough. Try leaving them on a drying rack for a few days.
When you pour the lentils into the bucket, chaff blows away in the wind while the heavier lentils remain in the buckets. If you can’t go outside, stand in front of a fan on a low setting. Chaff includes leaves, stems, and other bits of dirt that might become mixed in with the lentils. It can also include shattered seed bits.
It can be difficult to tell when lentils have gone bad. If they appear hard and brittle or if they take longer to cook than normal, you may wish to toss them.
