Chickpea

Growing

Because chickpeas are highly sensitive to excess moisture, ensure your planting site or container has excellent drainage to prevent waterlogged roots. While they are remarkably drought-tolerant, avoid over-applying nitrogen fertilizer, as high doses of nitrogen can actually inhibit the plant's natural yield. Instead, focus on maintaining a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5. If you are growing for larger pods, a balanced approach to mineral nitrogen is key to supporting the plant's ability to fix nitrogen in its roots.

When selecting your seeds, consider whether you want the Desi variety, which features smaller, darker, and more textured seeds, or the larger, lighter Kabuli type. As the plants mature, you will know they are ready when the pods are fully developed. Unlike many other garden crops, chickpeas do not continue to ripen once they are removed from the vine, so you must harvest them when they are at your desired stage of readiness.

To preserve your harvest, keep the pods unwashed to prevent moisture from causing rot during storage. For long-term use, you can dry the seeds or blanch them before placing them in the freezer. If you are using them for culinary purposes like making flour or batters, ensure they are thoroughly dried before grinding.