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Field Crops, Grains & OilseedsChickpea Planting Calendar
Chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans, are grown in the northern Plains and the Pacific Northwest. They are drought tolerant but sensitive to wet weather and disease.
Key points
- Chickpeas are a cool-season pulse that is planted early in spring.
- No federal planting table exists, so use local extension guidance.
- Disease and wet weather are the main risks, so seed quality and rotation matter.
- Know your market type and buyer before you plant.
What do chickpeas need to get started?
Chickpeas are a cool-season legume, and growers usually plant them early in spring as soon as the soil can be worked. They tolerate cool soil and light frost better than many crops but dislike waterlogged conditions. Seedling diseases can be a problem in cold, wet ground, so a well-drained field is a good starting point.
USDA NASS does not publish a usual planting dates row for chickpeas because they are a small acreage crop. Use soil conditions, local frost dates and extension guidance instead. Write down the date you actually plant, the soil conditions that day and the weather over the next two weeks, because those notes explain a good or poor stand better than memory will.
When should you plant chickpeas?
Extension programs in the northern Plains and the Pacific Northwest generally recommend early planting for chickpeas, because the crop benefits from a longer growing season and may suffer from heat or disease late in summer. Ask your state extension service for the seeding window used in your area, and compare it to your own soil temperature and frost date.
Do not rush into a seedbed that is wet. A few days of waiting often costs less than a poor stand. If a late spring pushes seeding past local recommendations, ask extension whether to still plant or switch crops.
- Chickpeas are planted early in spring
- Avoid cold, wet, poorly drained fields
- No federal table exists
Why are disease and moisture so important?
Chickpeas can be hurt by foliar diseases that spread in wet, humid weather, and seed quality matters because some diseases travel on seed. Use clean seed and ask extension about scouting methods and management. Fungicide use follows the label exactly, including pre-harvest intervals, and applicator licensing varies by state.
Moisture timing matters too. A dry season suits chickpeas better than a wet one, and that is part of why they are grown in drier regions. If you irrigate, check local water rules.
What types of chickpeas are grown?
Chickpeas are sold in market types, often described as large-seeded and small-seeded, with different markets and varieties. Some are used for hummus and canned products, and others are used in different food markets. The market type influences variety choice, days to maturity and management. Talk to buyers before planting.
Because contracts often set variety and quality rules, confirm those first. Ask your extension office which varieties have been tested in your region.
How do rotation, fertility and weed control fit?
Chickpeas are legumes and can fix nitrogen with the right bacteria. Seed inoculation and fertility decisions depend on field history and soil tests, and nutrient management rules vary by state. Do not guess at inputs.
Weed control is an early priority because chickpeas grow slowly at first. Many programs recommend long rotations between chickpea crops because of disease risk, and you should ask extension for the number that applies in your area.
What are common mistakes and next steps?
Common mistakes include planting into saturated soil, using seed of unknown quality and ignoring rotation. Start with a small field if you are new to the crop, and keep careful records of planting date, variety, stand, disease observations and harvest results.
Check crop insurance rules with your agent and look at USDA Risk Management Agency materials. Pulse crop coverage and final planting dates can differ by county.
- Planting into saturated soil
- Using seed of unknown quality
- Ignoring rotation intervals
What is a practical checklist before planting chickpeas?
Before the season, confirm your market type and buyer, then choose a variety that fits both. Pick the best-drained field you have, and check what it grew last year, since rotation matters for disease. Test the soil and talk with your extension office about inoculant and fertility. Make sure your seed is clean and from a trusted source, and ask about seed treatment rules in your state.
At planting time, check soil conditions and the forecast. Look for workable, well-drained soil and avoid planting into a cold, wet spell. Check seed depth and stand evenness after the planter goes through, and again after rain.
After planting, scout fields regularly during the season, particularly after wet weather. Keep notes on dates, weather and any disease signs. If you see problems, ask extension for a diagnosis before you decide on action. Any pesticide use follows the label, and pre-harvest intervals apply.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.