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When to Plant Chickpeas in Sweetwater County, WY

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

Sweetwater County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 114 days.

At an elevation of 7,922 feet, Sweetwater County receives approximately 12.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chickpeas to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chickpeas successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Sweetwater County, WY (Zone 4b) Short season
114 days
Last Spring Frost May 29
114 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Sweetwater County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 22
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 5 Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Oct 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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 213 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Chickpeas needs ~1,235 GDD — county provides 1,482 GDD Good fit

Chickpeas Planting Timeline โ€” Sweetwater County, WY

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Transplant Outdoors May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jun 12
Direct Sow May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 12
Fall Sowing June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Jul 12
Harvest August 21 Aug 21 โ€“ Oct 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

114 days

Growing Tips for Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater County, WY?

Sweetwater County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 29. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sweetwater County, WY?

Sweetwater County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 29 and first fall frost is September 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sweetwater County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Sweetwater County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.