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When to Plant Chickpeas in Braxton 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.

Braxton County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 2,760 feet, Braxton County receives approximately 43.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chickpeas during the growing season.

Braxton County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Braxton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chickpeas needs ~1,734 GDD — county provides 3,157 GDD Excellent fit

Chickpeas Planting Timeline โ€” Braxton County, WV

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Sep 1

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 Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Braxton 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chickpeas in Braxton County, WV?

Braxton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Braxton County, WV?

Braxton County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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