Here’s how to grow a chickpea plant for homemade hummus, chana masala, and more.
Grigorenko / Getty Images
Chickpeas have been grown as a food crop for at least 7,500 years.
Where to Plant Chickpeas
Chickpeas can grow in garden beds or containers.
Credit:Grigorenko / Getty Images
The important thing is that you select a growing location that receives full sun and haswell-draining soil.
Chickpeas are compact, bush-key in plants, and they dont need trellising.
Container-grown chickpeas should be grown in well-draining pots that are at least 8 inches deep.
Some growers plant chickpeas in rows, while others interplant chickpeas with other crops, like leafy greens.
Avoid growing chickpeas in an area where you recently planted legumes.
Seedlings started indoorscan be transplantedoutside when theyre 4 to 6 inches high and the danger of frost has passed.
Keep chickpeas healthy and productive throughout the growing season with proper care.
In hot climates, chickpeas can grow in partial afternoon shade, although they might produce fewer pods.
Before planting chickpea seeds, amend the garden soil with compost or aged manure for optimal growth.
Avoid overwatering newly planted seeds, as this can cause seeds to crack and not grow.
Fertilizer
Like other legumes, chickpeas fix nitrogen in the soil and dont need much fertilizer.
To give your plants a boost,side dress with compostas needed.
Boil the fresh chickpeas in the pods in salted water for about five minutes.
Drain them and run them under cold water to cool them off.
When the pods begin to split open, remove the chickpeas and compost the empty pods.
Continue to dry the pods in a warm, ventilated spot until they begin to crack open.
Types of Chickpeas
Kabuli and Desi are the two main types of chickpea plants.
They are classified based on seed size, thickness, color, and shape.
The majority of chickpeas grown in the United States are Kabuli types.
There is no difference.
Both names apply to the same plant.
A product labeled as chickpeas is interchangeable with one labeled as garbanzo beans.
Yes, but chickpeas mostly grow on the western side of the country.
It is best to cook them before consuming them.
