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Chickpeas Planting Guide

Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are a drought-tolerant legume producing round, nutty-flavored beans. They are the base for hummus, falafel, and many global dishes.

Cicer arietinum ยท Vegetable ยท Fabaceae family ยท 80โ€“110 days to maturity

Where Can You Grow Chickpeas?

Chickpeas Growing Regions

Click any state to see the Chickpeas planting schedule for that location.

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest
Zone 3a Apr 3 May 8 May 15 Aug 7 โ€“ Sep 18
Zone 3b Mar 29 May 3 May 10 Aug 2 โ€“ Sep 13
Zone 4a Mar 25 Apr 29 May 6 Jul 29 โ€“ Sep 9
Zone 4b Mar 20 Apr 24 May 1 Jul 24 โ€“ Sep 4
Zone 5a Mar 21 Apr 11 Apr 25 Jul 18 โ€“ Aug 29
Zone 5b Mar 14 Apr 4 Apr 18 Jul 11 โ€“ Aug 22
Zone 6a Mar 6 Mar 27 Apr 10 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 14
Zone 6b Feb 27 Mar 20 Apr 3 Jun 26 โ€“ Aug 7
Zone 7a Feb 18 Mar 11 Mar 25 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 29
Zone 7b Feb 11 Mar 4 Mar 18 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 22
Zone 8a Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 31 โ€“ Jul 12
Zone 8b Jan 21 Feb 11 Feb 25 May 20 โ€“ Jul 1
Zone 9a Jan 13 Jan 20 Feb 10 May 5 โ€“ Jun 16
Zone 9b Dec 28 Jan 4 Jan 25 Apr 19 โ€“ May 31
Zone 10a Dec 4 Dec 11 Jan 1 Mar 26 โ€“ May 7
Zone 10b Dec 4 Dec 11 Jan 1 Mar 26 โ€“ May 7

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a โ€“ 10b

Growing Tips

Direct sow 4 weeks before last frost as chickpeas prefer cool growing conditions. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases. Harvest when pods rattle with dry beans inside.

Saving Chickpeas Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

๐ŸŒฑ
Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

๐Ÿงช
Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

๐Ÿท๏ธ
Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Level Up Your Garden

Chickpeas by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Chickpeas?

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) takes 80 to 110 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Chickpeas grow in?

Chickpeas can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Chickpeas need?

Growing Chickpeas requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low โ€” drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6 to 8.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.