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When to Plant Chickpeas in Boone County, WV

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

Boone County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 1,287 feet, Boone County receives approximately 40.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chickpeas during the growing season.

Boone County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Boone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Sep 20

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
0.9″/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 ~1,591 GDD — county provides 3,082 GDD Excellent fit

Chickpeas Planting Timeline โ€” Boone County, WV

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
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 6b

Growing Season

184 days

Growing Tips for Boone 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 Boone County, WV?

Boone County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Boone County, WV?

Boone County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Boone County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Boone County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.