Chickpea

Plant family

Legumes (Fabaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Plant distance

20 cm

Row spacing

30 cm

Seeding depth

3 cm

Instructions

The season for this plant has not yet begun. The following instructions are for the beginning season.

End of April

Sowing

End of April

Cover

Every week

Beginning of May

Thinning

Description

Chickpea is a species of crop in the legume family. The annual plant reaches heights of up to 1 meter. On it grow the pods, which are about 3 cm in size. In them: 2 seeds, which we know as chickpeas. The chickpea is very frugal. Although it is cultivated more in subtropical areas, it is possible to grow it also in our latitudes. There are two groups of chickpeas. Kabuli are slightly larger, beige chickpeas. Desi, on the other hand, are darker, smaller and yellow inside. Here, the Kabuli type is more preferred. Like other legumes, it is a good green manure, as it accumulates nitrogen in the soil.

Growing tips

In the Central European climate, it takes up to 90 days on average to harvest. Therefore, the earlier the better! You can start growing them in mid/end April. Direct sowing outdoors is possible from mid-May, after the last night frost. Chickpeas like light and loose soil. Loosen the soil before sowing or planting out the seedlings. A layer of mulch helps to prevent unwanted weeds. If one or two weeds do make it through, you should weed them out. The plants are ready to harvest around 8 to 12 weeks after sowing. They can either be used as green pods like beans or peas or dried. Then wait until the pods turn yellow. Take the whole plant out of the ground and hang it upside down. This allows the seeds to ripen and dry. How easily the seeds fall out of the pod depends on the variety. These dried chickpeas can then be stored for 4 to 5 years.