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When to Plant Chickpeas in USDA Zone 10a

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

In Zone 10a, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.

Zone 10a Year-round
364 days
Last Spring Frost January 1
364 growing days
First Fall Frost December 31

Chickpeas Planting Timeline — Zone 10a

Where Is USDA Zone 10a?

The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 10a. Click any state to see the Chickpeas planting schedule for that location.

Prints a clean, ink-friendly version without maps or navigation.

Chickpeas Planting Calendar — Zone 10a

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 4 Dec 4 – Dec 18
Transplant Outdoors January 1 Jan 1 – Jan 15
Direct Sow December 11 Dec 11 – Jan 1
Harvest March 26 Mar 26 – May 7
Fall Sowing November 5 Nov 5 – Nov 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
February
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June
July
August
September
October
November Fall Sowing
December Start Indoors Direct Sow

Free Zone 10a Planting Calendar PDF

Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 10a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.

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Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

80–110 days

Soil pH

6 – 8

Zone Temperature Range

30°F to 35°F average annual minimum

Growing Season

364 days (Zone 10a average)

Planting Specifications

Planting Depth0.5 inches
Plant Spacing6 inches apart
Row Spacing12 inches between rows

Succession Planting Chickpeas in Zone 10a

5
successive plantings in Zone 10a's ~364-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.

Growing Tips for Chickpeas in Zone 10a

Zone 10a offers a long growing season (~364 days). You can plant Chickpeas earlier and may get multiple harvests.

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

Saving Chickpeas Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

☀️
Garden Shade Cloth $15-35

Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.

🌱
Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪
Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

Related Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chickpeas in Zone 10a?

In Zone 10a, plan your Chickpeas planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around December 4. Direct sow outdoors around December 11. Transplant seedlings around January 1.

Can Chickpeas grow in Zone 10a?

Yes, Chickpeas can grow well in Zone 10a, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Zone 10a has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Chickpeas (80-110 days to maturity).

When can I harvest Chickpeas in Zone 10a?

In Zone 10a, expect to harvest Chickpeas from March 26 – May 7. Chickpeas takes 80-110 days from planting to harvest.

What is the last frost date for Zone 10a?

The average last spring frost in Zone 10a is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.

What should I plant next to Chickpeas?

Good companion plants for Chickpeas include Corn, Squash Summer. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — organize your planting dates for Zone 10a, track your crops, and plan your garden season from seed to harvest.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.