A bowl on a dark stone countertop full of a melange of sprouted beans, lentils, and other legumes - Tatiana Bralnina/Shutterstock With rising grocery costs, it can literally pay to grow your own food.

If you're interested in adding legumes (plants that grow in pods) to your garden, consider starting with lentils. The nutrient-dense food thrives in growing zones 4 through 11, and can grow to be ...