How to Grow Chickpeas at Home

Choosing the Right Spot

Chickpeas need a place where they receive 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. If you live in a hot region, provide them with afternoon shade.

Preparing the Soil

Improve your soil's nutrition and drainage through potting mix enriched with organic compost and fully mix in water-storing crystals to help reduce watering stress.

Planting Chickpeas

Plant chickpeas 1-2 weeks before the last frost date of your area. Dig holes about 1.5-2 inches deep, spaced 3-4 inches apart, and place one seed in each hole. Cover the holes with soil and provide a mix of 5 milliliters of plant organic seed-starter plant food around the base of each seedling.

Caring for Chickpeas

Ensure consistent moisture for seed germination. Once seedlings are 2-3 inches tall, thin them to maintain one plant every 6 inches. Water them as needed and avoid disturbing the roots of neighboring plants.

Feeding Chickpeas

Feed your plants with organic fertilizers to maintain their health and quality. Follow a feeding schedule using an all-in-one plant food.

Harvesting Chickpeas

After about 100 days of planting, it's time to harvest chickpeas. Snap pods off the plant when they are small and green if you prefer them fresh. If you prefer dried chickpeas, wait until the pods are dry and brown. Crack open the pods and remove the beans. Store dried chickpeas in an airtight container.

Usage

Enjoy delicious "Kabuli chickpeas" by rinsing, soaking, and boiling them. Use them in soups, stews, salads, or make hummus. You can also sprout them for consumption like sprouted beans.

How to Make Aquafaba

Rinse, soak, and drain chickpeas, then cook them in water until soft. Strain and reserve the liquid (aquafaba). If the liquid is too thin - reduce it until slightly thickened. Store aquafaba in the fridge and use it in familiar recipes like mousse, cookies, mayonnaise, and meringue. 3 tablespoons of aquafaba are equivalent to one egg.