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When to Plant Chickpeas in Phelps County, NE

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

Phelps County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 983 feet, Phelps County receives approximately 24.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chickpeas to ensure they mature before fall.

Phelps County, NE (Zone 6a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Phelps County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Chickpeas Planting Timeline — Phelps County, NE

Chickpeas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 – May 9
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 – Sep 5
Fall Sowing July 28 Jul 28 – Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

80–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Phelps County

Growing Tips for Phelps 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chickpeas in Phelps County, NE?

Phelps County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Chickpeas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phelps County, NE?

Phelps County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.

🌱

Your Phelps County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Phelps County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Phelps County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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