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When to Plant Chickpeas in Walton 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.

Walton County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 310 feet, Walton County receives approximately 61.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Walton County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Walton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 14

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chickpeas needs ~1,662 GDD — county provides 4,130 GDD Excellent fit

Chickpeas Planting Timeline โ€” Walton County, GA

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jul 26

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 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

236 days

Growing Tips for Walton 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 Walton County, GA?

Walton County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Walton County, GA?

Walton County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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