How to Grow Chickpea
Cicer arietinum
Chickpeas thrive in warm, dry conditions with full sun and well-drained soil. Sow directly after last frost when soil is at least 10C. They dislike wet feet and humid conditions, so avoid overhead watering. Plants are bushy and self-supporting at 30-50 cm tall. As legumes they fix nitrogen and need little fertiliser. Harvest when pods dry and brown on the plant, then shell and store the seeds.
When to Start
Sow indoors 3 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors after frost risk has passed and soil reaches 10°C.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Rarely needed. Chickpeas fix nitrogen. Only apply a light phosphorus feed if soil is very poor.
- Chickpeas prefer dry conditions and well-drained soil. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal disease. They fix nitrogen, improving soil for subsequent crops.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 10°C+
- Germination temperature
- 10–25°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 15 cm |
| Row spacing | 45 cm |
| Sow depth | 4 cm |
| Mature height | 50 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Sow or thin to 15 cm apart in rows 45 cm apart. Plants support each other when grown closely.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 10°C |
| Germination temperature | 10–25°C |
| Base growth temperature | 10°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Chickpea?
- Plant Chickpea 15cm apart with 45cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Chickpea?
- Chickpea is ready to harvest approximately 80 days after transplanting.
- Is Chickpea frost hardy?
- Chickpea is classified as Half Hardy.
