Blog

When to Plant Chickpeas in Delaware County, OK

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

Delaware County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 440 feet, Delaware County receives approximately 30.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chickpeas during the growing season.

Delaware County, OK (Zone 7a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Delaware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 27

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
0.6″/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 ~1,948 GDD — county provides 4,079 GDD Excellent fit

Chickpeas Planting Timeline โ€” Delaware County, OK

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 13

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

199 days

Growing Tips for Delaware 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 Delaware County, OK?

Delaware County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Delaware County, OK?

Delaware County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Delaware County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.