Cicer arietinum

chickpea

Common names: garbanzo bean, true chickpea

Photo: Sanjay Acharya · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

The chickpea originates from the Near East and thrives in warm, dry conditions, making it increasingly relevant for DACH gardens amid climate change. Each hairy pod typically contains one or two nutty seeds, the basis for hummus and falafel. It requires a long, sunny season to mature.

Care instructions

Sow the seeds only from late April to May in the warmest, full‑sun spot of the garden, in well‑drained, slightly lean soil. Water sparingly, chickpeas cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions. Harvest the plants in late summer when they yellow, then dry the pods completely before extracting the seeds.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 6–7.58.0

Soil type

sandy, loamy, well-drained, lean, dry, lime-loving

LightFull sun

HardinessFrost-sensitive

Crop rotationLegumes

Water needLow

Feeding

Light feeder

Companion planting

Good neighbors

cabbage family (Brassicaceae)

particularly well established

Leguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.

For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

carrot family (Apiaceae)

Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.

For example DillParsleyCarrot fennelCorianderCelery (Stalk Celery)Caraway and 17 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)

Beans and peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, which cucurbits, as heavy feeders, can make good use of.

For example PumpkinCourgettepickling cucumberButternutHokkaidoPatisson and 13 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

Carrot celery root Cucumber Head lettuce

Rather not

amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)

particularly well established

Allium species inhibit the nitrogen‑fixing rhizobia of legumes through their root exudates, which slows their growth.

For example ChivesDaffodilRocamboleElephant garlicRed Onionshallot and 9 more species in the catalogue

Source: basic crop‑rotation rule

Garlic Leek Onion

Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.

Some of these explanations were machine-translated.

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