Growing Chickpeas: A Step-By-Step Guide

Growing Chickpeas: A Step-By-Step Guide

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are one of those crops that reward patience with abundance. They’re low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your backyard. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a pod from the plant, popping it open, and finding those perfect, plump legumes inside.

Why Grow Chickpeas?

Chickpeas aren’t just a pantry staple; they’re also a hardworking legume. Their roots fix nitrogen into the soil, improving fertility for the next round of crops. Think of them as tiny soil builders. Oh, and their nutty flavor? It’s unmatched when they’re fresh.

Did you know a single chickpea plant can produce 50-100 pods? Each pod holds one to three beans inside, making it a small plant with a big payoff.

Step 1: Choosing the Perfect Spot

Chickpeas thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They’re not fans of soggy feet, so if your soil leans clay-heavy, amend it with sand or compost to improve drainage. I made that mistake my first go-around—it wasn’t pretty.

They also prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.0). If you’re unsure about your soil’s pH, grab a cheap soil test kit. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Step 2: Planting Chickpeas

Timing is Everything

Plant seeds directly into the ground about two weeks before your last frost date. Chickpeas don’t like being transplanted, so skip the seed trays and sow them where they’ll stay.

• Soil Temperature: Aim for at least 50°F. Anything colder, and the seeds sulk.
• Depth: Plant seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and 3 to 6 inches apart.
• Rows: Space rows about 18 inches apart to give the plants room to breathe.

Pro tip: Soak the seeds in water overnight before planting to give them a head start.

Step 3: Caring for Your Plants

Watering

Once established, chickpeas are surprisingly drought-tolerant. However, during germination and flowering, they’ll need consistent moisture. Water deeply, but infrequently—let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. Too much water, and you’ll invite root rot to the party.

Weeding

Chickpeas grow slowly at first, which means weeds can quickly steal the spotlight. I learned this the hard way one summer when I ignored my patch for two weeks and came back to a jungle. Hand-pull weeds or use a hoe, but be gentle around the shallow roots.

Feeding

Skip the fertilizer. Chickpeas are self-sufficient and actually make their own nitrogen. Overfeeding them will result in lush, leafy plants with fewer pods. Less is more here.

Step 4: Harvesting

This is where the real fun begins. Chickpeas are ready to harvest 90 to 100 days after planting. The leaves will start to turn yellow, and the pods will feel dry and papery.

• For Fresh Chickpeas: Pick the green pods while they’re still tender. Use them in salads or eat them straight out of the pod.
• For Dried Chickpeas: Let the pods dry completely on the plant before harvesting. Store them in an airtight container for up to a year.

Once, I tried shelling dried chickpeas by hand without gloves—big mistake. Those dried pod edges are surprisingly sharp. Learn from me: gloves are your friend.

Common Challenges

Pests

Aphids and cutworms occasionally show up, but chickpeas aren’t a pest magnet. If you spot an infestation, blast aphids off with water or introduce ladybugs. For cutworms, a simple cardboard collar around the base of young plants works wonders.

Diseases

Fusarium wilt and root rot can rear their ugly heads if the soil stays too wet. Rotate your crops yearly, and make sure to plant in well-draining soil to avoid future issues.

The Reward

There’s nothing quite like shelling your own chickpeas and tossing them into a homemade hummus or curry. Growing chickpeas isn’t just a practical choice—it’s a delicious one. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

Chickpeas are an incredibly beneficial food to grow, as they are packed with essential nutrients. Chickpeas are a great source of fiber, as well as protein, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. They are low in fat, cholesterol-free, and contain many vitamins and minerals. Additionally, they are easy to cultivate, making them great for home gardens and larger farms. The nutritional benefits of chickpeas make them a great addition to any meal.