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When to Plant Chickpeas in Sharp 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.

Sharp County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 674 feet, Sharp County receives approximately 50.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chickpeas during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chickpeas root diseases.

Sharp County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Sharp County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 19

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.

Soil Compatibility in Sharp County

How your county's soil matches Chickpeas's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“7.0) overlaps with Chickpeas's range (6.0โ€“8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Sharp County is excellent for Chickpeas โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Chickpeas.

How to Plant Chickpeas

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chickpeas

3
successive plantings in your 221-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 15 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 24.

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
Chickpeas needs ~1,520 GDD — county provides 3,536 GDD Excellent fit

Chickpeas Planting Timeline โ€” Sharp County, AR

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Jul 30

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 Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“110 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“8 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

221 days in Sharp County

Growing Tips for Chickpeas in Sharp County

Direct sow Chickpeas outdoors after March 26 in Sharp County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Chickpeas in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General 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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chickpeas in Sharp County, AR?

Sharp County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sharp County, AR?

Sharp County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sharp County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Sharp County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.