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When to Plant Chickpeas in Glenn County, CA

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

Glenn County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 270 feet, Glenn County receives approximately 27.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chickpeas during the growing season.

Glenn County, CA (Zone 9a) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Glenn County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 22

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 210 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Chickpeas needs ~1,520 GDD — county provides 4,272 GDD Excellent fit

Chickpeas Planting Timeline โ€” Glenn County, CA

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Mar 6
Fall Sowing October 3 Oct 3 โ€“ Oct 17
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 10

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 Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

267 days

Growing Tips for Glenn 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 Glenn County, CA?

Glenn County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Glenn County, CA?

Glenn County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Glenn County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Glenn County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.