Garbanzo beans, commonly known as chickpeas, are versatile and nutritious cool-season legumes that can be successfully grown in a home garden. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this plant enhances soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. Cultivating Cicer arietinum is straightforward when you understand its environmental requirements and growth cycle. This guide provides a step-by-step approach for a successful harvest.
Preparing the Planting Environment
Chickpeas thrive in full sun, requiring a location that gets at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for a productive crop. Optimal planting time is about one month before the last expected spring frost, as seeds germinate best once the soil temperature reaches a minimum of 50°F (10°C). Planting too late exposes the plants to excessive summer heat, which can cause buds and flowers to drop if temperatures consistently exceed 85°F (29°C) during the flowering stage.
Garbanzo beans quickly fail in overly saturated conditions, so soil structure is critical. They require well-drained, loose, loamy, or sandy soil to prevent root rot. Amending the bed with organic compost before planting improves drainage, though overly rich soil is not necessary. A slightly acidic to neutral pH range, ideally between 6.0 and 8.0, supports healthy plant development and nutrient uptake.
Sowing the Seeds
Direct seeding is the preferred method, as chickpeas do not transplant well due to their long taproot. Unlike many other legumes, do not soak the seeds before planting, as this can damage the thin seed coat and increase the risk of rot. Plant the seeds at a depth of 1 to 2 inches, using the deeper end of the range for larger-seeded varieties.
Proper spacing is necessary for good air circulation and mutual support between the bushy plants. Sow the seeds approximately 3 to 6 inches apart, thinning to the wider spacing after germination if necessary. Chickpeas require a specific strain of symbiotic bacteria, Mesorhizobium ciceri or M. mediterraneum, to form root nodules and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Treating the seeds with a chickpea-specific rhizobia inoculant before planting is highly recommended to ensure adequate nitrogen fixation and maximize yields.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Once the seedlings are established, their watering needs become moderate, as the plants are drought-tolerant. Provide deep, infrequent watering, aiming for about one inch of moisture per week if there has been no rainfall. Avoid overhead irrigation, which encourages the spread of fungal diseases like blight and anthracnose. Watering at the soil level helps keep the foliage dry, reducing the chance of infection.
Weed competition significantly reduces yields, so keep the planting area clear of weeds, especially in the early growth stages. Since the chickpea root system is shallow and easily damaged, use caution when weeding, opting for hand-pulling or very shallow surface cultivation. The plant’s natural secretion of malic acid helps deter common pests like aphids. Monitoring for cutworms in the spring and caterpillars, such as the native budworm, during the pod-fill stage is necessary. Supplemental nitrogen fertilizer is unnecessary, as the inoculated plants produce their own supply.
Harvesting and Storage
Garbanzo beans typically take between 90 and 100 days from planting to reach maturity. You can harvest the pods when they are still green and immature for use as fresh shell beans, which offer a sweet, pea-like flavor. For dried chickpeas, used for hummus and long-term storage, wait until the plant’s foliage has withered, dried, and turned brown.
When the plants are mostly dry, pull the entire plant from the soil and hang them or lay them on a dry, well-ventilated surface. Allow the pods to cure for several days or weeks until they are completely dry and brittle. Once fully dried, the pods will split open, allowing you to easily shell the seeds from the husks. Dried chickpeas should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, where they can maintain quality for up to a year.