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When to Plant Chickpeas in Arkansas County, AR

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

Arkansas County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 803 feet, Arkansas County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chickpeas during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chickpeas root diseases.

Arkansas County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Arkansas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 10

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chickpeas needs ~1,876 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD Excellent fit

Chickpeas Planting Timeline โ€” Arkansas County, AR

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 18

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

80โ€“110 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

243 days

Growing Tips for Arkansas County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chickpeas in Arkansas County, AR?

Arkansas County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Arkansas County, AR?

Arkansas County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Arkansas County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Arkansas County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.