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When to Plant Chickpeas in Nevada 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.

Nevada County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 226 days.

At an elevation of 1,493 feet, Nevada County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chickpeas during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chickpeas root diseases.

Nevada County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
226 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
226 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Nevada County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 18

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Chickpeas needs ~1,734 GDD — county provides 4,124 GDD Excellent fit

Chickpeas Planting Timeline โ€” Nevada County, AR

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 โ€“ Sep 9
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

226 days

Growing Tips for Nevada 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 Nevada County, AR?

Nevada County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nevada County, AR?

Nevada County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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