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When to Plant Chickpeas in Union County, GA

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

Union County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 175 feet, Union County receives approximately 61.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chickpeas during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Chickpeas, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chickpeas root diseases.

Union County, GA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Union County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 6

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chickpeas needs ~1,876 GDD — county provides 3,851 GDD Excellent fit

Chickpeas Planting Timeline โ€” Union County, GA

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

195 days

Growing Tips for Union 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 Union County, GA?

Union County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Union County, GA?

Union County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Union 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 Union County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.