How to sow chickpeas: when and how to sow them step by step
Chickpeas of Turkish origin are annual plants that are very affluent in starch, fiber, phosphorus, protein and vitamins. These legumes are very popular in gastronomy due to all the nutrients and taste they contain. Additionally, chickpeas are great for helping regulate blood sugar levels and maintaining stable blood pressure. So it’s no surprise that this legume is very popular in the garden, so we’ll explain how to plant chickpeas
When it comes to growing these legumes, it should be noted that the procedure is very similar to that of other legumes. However, in this article we will explain when and how to plant chickpeas, pointing out every step we have to take do it correctly. We also comment on how to collect them so that no information is missing. If you want to grow your own chickpeas, don’t hesitate to continue reading.
How and when to plant chickpeas?
If we decide to grow chickpeas, it is crucial that we know how to do it, when to plant it and what requirements must be met. The sowing date of this legume falls specifically in spring in the months of April and May. Because it does not tolerate transplants well, it is best to sow chickpeas directly into the ground. It is crucial that the soil chosen for this purpose is well exposed to sunlight, as these vegetables need a lot of airy to develop and grow.
While it is true that chickpeas tolerate frosty, the ideal climate is balmy or temperate. For optimal growth of these legumes, the temperature must be between 25°C and 35°C. In lower temperatures, germination will take longer.
When it comes to soil, chickpeas prefer aerated and well-cultivated soil. The substrate is better if it is silica-clay and does not contain gypsum. This last piece of information is very crucial because soil containing gypsum can make the entire chickpea crop impoverished quality and tough to cook. It can also negatively affect plants if the soil contains organic matter that has not completely decomposed. When it comes to pH, the ideal pH for chickpeas is between 6.0 and 9.0. However, please remember that substrates with a high level of acidity may cause diseases.
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Characteristics and types of soils
Additionally, it is recommended not to grow chickpeas again in the same land unless they have passed at least four years. It must be admitted that these vegetables are very well associated with, for example, garlic, broccoli, chard and eggplant.
Although chickpeas tolerate drought very well, continuous watering significantly increases the quality and efficiency of production. That is: Generally speaking, the water these plants obtain from rain is usually enough for them to grow and develop properly, but watering them with some consistency will improve yields.
How long does it take for chickpea seeds to germinate?
Once the chickpeas are planted, their seeds will begin to sprout in about twelve days. However, we will only be able to harvest these delicious legumes approximately six months after planting. We will know that the plant is ready for harvesting when its leaves turn yellow. Note that the chickpeas are still green at this point.
How to plant chickpeas step by step
Now that we know a little more about growing these legumes and their needs, let’s see how to plant chickpeas step by step:
- Cleanse the land: First, we need to remove all plant and weed remains from the ground, pulling them out from the roots. This will prevent them from growing again and the chickpeas will receive all the nutrients they need. Then remove the soil with a rake to air it out.
- Site preparation: It is best to moisten the soil before introducing the seeds into the soil. Otherwise, we risk that the water will drive the seeds away due to the force of irrigation. Fertilizing the soil is also crucial. To do this, we need to mix the fertilizer to a depth of five centimeters. If we grew cereals on the same land, there is no need to add fertilizer.
- Introduce the seeds: Once the ground is ready, it’s time to make trenches every 45 centimeters. Each of them must contain mounds of earth with a distance of thirty centimeters between them. We will add two or three chickpea seeds to each mound. They should reach a depth of four to five centimeters. Then all you have to do is cover them with some soil and water the soil with plenty of water.
- Choose the strongest and healthiest seedlings: Twelve days after sowing, the seeds will already sprout. If there is more than one seedling in the hole, we must keep the one that is stronger. There is no need to pull out a feeble seedling, pruning at ground level is enough to avoid damaging the leaves.
Chickpea harvest
As we have already mentioned, chickpeas are ready to harvest when they are still green and their leaves are turning yellow. In general, the collection of these legumes This is usually done manually. This is very plain because you just need to cut the vegetables slightly above ground level. Then we have to stack them and let them arid for a week before we thresh them. After harvesting the chickpeas, we can store them in a well-ventilated and arid place. Another option is to place them in glass containers and store them in the refrigerator.
We already know everything about planting chickpeas, all we need to do is get down to work. It is highly recommended to have these legumes in your garden as they are straightforward to grow and very affluent in nutrients. Moreover, they are perfectly preserved and we can employ them all year round: in winter we can prepare chickpeas with soup or goulash, and in summer delicious chickpea salads with, for example, tomato and tuna.