Chickpeas require a long growing season - they take up to 100 days to reach the point of ripeness where they can be harvested. These are quite simple plants to care for and do not fear drought thanks to their very deep root system (it can reach 120cm); instead they fear humidity and therefore drainage must be taken care of in case of frequent rains.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Planting the Seeds
Step 1. Sow indoors
Begin to bury the seeds about 4 weeks before the last expected frost. Since chickpea seeds are very fragile, it is better to plant them indoors instead of planting them in cold soil.
- If you want to sow them outside, wait a week or two after the last frost and, at night, cover the area with a light layer of mulch or waste sheets to insulate them from the cold.
- Chickpeas have a long growing season and take 90 to 100 days to be ready for harvest. So, try to sow them as soon as possible.
Step 2. Use biodegradable pots
Chickpea plants do not tolerate transplants, so it is best to use paper or peat containers that can be buried in the ground.
You can get these pots online or at garden centers
Step 3. Plant one or two seeds in each pot
Fill the container with a little soil and place the seed 3-5 cm deep.
- It is recommended to put one seed in each pot, but you can also plant two. When the seed sprouts, you will only have to leave one for each container: in this case proceed by cutting the weakest sprout with a pair of scissors. Do not uproot it because you could disturb the delicate root system of the other seed.
- Germination occurs in about 2 weeks.
Step 4. Provide the seeds with sun and water
Place the pots near a window where they can receive lots of direct sunlight, the soil must remain moist during germination.
Do not soak the seeds before burying them. They also shouldn't be over-watered, as they could break. The surface of the soil must be moist but not beyond this limit
Part 2 of 4: Transplant the Sprouts
Step 1. Choose the right place
Chickpeas thrive in "full sun," so choose an area where they get direct sunlight at least 6 hours a day. Furthermore, the soil should be loose, well drained and already fertilized.
- You can also grow chickpeas in a partially shaded area, but this way the yield will be significantly lower.
- Do not plant chickpeas in areas where green manure has been implemented or in places where there is a high concentration of nitrogen. In fact, this element increases the foliage of the plant but impoverishes the harvest.
- Avoid very clayey soils or ones that are heavily shaded.
Step 2. Prepare the ground
To improve its condition and prepare it for the plants, cover it with a couple of handfuls of compost 1-7 days before transplanting.
- Consider adding a potash and phosphorus-rich fertilizer mix to increase your yield.
- If the soil is too heavy, add farm sand or fine gravel to improve drainage. Avoid adding moss as it holds too much water.
Step 3. When the last frost has passed, transplant the chickpeas
The shoots of this plant are considered "cold resistant", but it is better to take them outside when the risk of frost has passed. The shoots should be 10-12 cm tall.
Plants grow best if the daytime temperatures are around 21-27 ° C and during the night they do not drop below 18 ° C
Step 4. Semen tightly
Space the shoots 12-15 cm apart; you should drill holes as deep as biodegradable pots.
- As they grow, the plants begin to thicken and intertwine with each other. As long as the intertwining is not exaggerated, it is beneficial because in this way the plants support each other.
- If you have decided to plant chickpeas in rows, make sure there is a distance of 45-60 cm between the various rows.
Step 5. Fully underground the pot
As previously stated, the hole should be as deep as the container. Put each pot in its own hole and cover the edges with a little soil.
Do not try to remove the sprouts from the pot, you will damage the delicate roots and the plant will die
Part 3 of 4: Caring for Plants
Step 1. Water regularly
Rain should be enough, but in the dry season you should bathe the chickpeas 1-2 times a week as flowering begins and pods begin to form.
- Do not wet them from above. The water could fall on the flowers and pods causing them to break prematurely. You would also favor the formation of mold. When you water them, wet the soil.
- When the pods are ripe, the plant begins to die on its own - stop watering it. Watering once every 2 weeks is sufficient. In this way you encourage the drying process, which is well desirable before harvest.
Step 2. Mulch as needed
Once the season gets warmer, you should add a light layer of mulch around the stems. This helps the soil retain an adequate amount of moisture, which is very important for plants growing in full sun.
Mulch also prevents weeds and weeds from growing
Step 3. Use fertilizers with caution
You can spread some compost or other similar organic material on the soil around the plants in mid-season. As mentioned earlier, avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers.
The chickpea plants work together with the microorganisms present in the soil to produce themselves the nitrogen they really need. An excess of this element causes abundant foliage growth but impoverishes the yield
Step 4. Handle the plants with care
When removing weeds or adding soil, you need to move carefully so as not to disturb the roots.
It is also advisable not to touch the plants when they are wet, as the spores of the fungi could spread
Step 5. Treat parasites if you see them
Chickpea plants are delicate and vulnerable to many weeds. However, do not treat them with preventive measures and wait, if necessary, for the insects to appear before acting.
- Adult aphids, spider mites and leafhoppers can be controlled with a flush of water with a garden hose or insecticidal soap.
- When you notice the presence of adult parasites, also check for eggs and squeeze them between your fingers. Alternatively, cut the leaves on which the eggs have been laid.
- If you have a very extensive infestation, try natural and safe pesticides for vegetables intended for human consumption that contain pyrethrin.
- Try to keep the garden clean and tidy to limit the pest population.
Step 6. Monitor for signs of illness
Chickpeas are subject to some diseases, including downy mildew, mosaic virus and anthracnose. If you can, sow resistant plants.
- To avoid the spread of disease, keep the soil on which plants grow clean and avoid handling them when they are wet.
- Remove diseased plants and throw them away to prevent infections. Burn them or throw them in the trash - but don't compost them.
Part 4 of 4: Collect the chickpeas
Step 1. Fresh harvest
If you want to eat the chickpeas when they are fresh, you can peel the pods when they are still green and unripe. You can eat fresh chickpeas like peas.
The pods reach a length of between 2, 5 and 5 cm and each contain 1-3 chickpeas
Step 2. Dry harvest
This is the most common technique. You have to collect the whole plant when the leaves turn brown. Place them on a flat, warm surface and let the pods dry naturally in a warm, well-ventilated room. Collect the chickpeas when the pods open.
- Ripe seeds are very hard, if you bite them you can barely chip them.
- If the climate becomes humid, take the harvested plants or pods indoors to finish drying, otherwise mold will form which will ruin the crop.
- If you let the plants dry outdoors, they could attract mice and other rodents.
Step 3. Store the chickpeas properly
Those fresh and still in the pod can stay in the refrigerator for a week. Those dry and peeled should be kept in a cool and dry place where they can be kept for up to a year.
- Store dried chickpeas in an airtight container if you want to keep them for more than a couple of days.
- Chickpeas can be frozen, stored in jars, or sprouted.
