Are you a gardener looking for a new challenge?
Or perhaps you’re curious about whether you can grow certain types of beans from store-bought ones.
Either way, you’ll want to read on to find out whether garbanzo beans are a viable option.
Store bought garbanzo beans can be grown. With a little bit of care and attention, you can successfully grow these delicious beans in your own backyard.
Garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, are a type of legume that is high in protein and fiber.
They have a nutty flavor and are often used in dishes like hummus or falafel.
Garbanzo beans can be grown either in a garden or in a pot on your porch or balcony.
They require very little care and are drought-tolerant, so they’re a great option for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to spend on their garden.
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What sort of garbanzo beans should I use?
When growing garbanzo beans, it’s important to use the right type.
For the best results purchase heirloom or organic garbanzo beans from a garden center or online.
Heirloom beans are seeds that have been passed down from generation to generation, and they tend to be more flavorful than commercially-grown beans.
However, if you are unable to find heirloom beans, don’t fret – any variety of garbanzo bean from the store will work for growing.
Just make sure that you use an organic bean that hasn’t been subjected to any form of treatment or preservation as these processes can destroy the bean’s ability to germinate.
How do I plant them?
Garbanzo beans can withstand low temperatures and may be planted in the garden as soon as soil temperatures rise to 45 degrees Fahrenheit in early spring.
In colder areas, start them four to six weeks before the last spring frost to give them the best start.
Use peat pots filled with sterile potting soil to prevent root injury when transplanting them into containers.
Planting garbanzo beans is a relatively simple process. Start by soaking the beans in water overnight.
The following day, planting them is as easy as digging a hole about twice the size of the bean and burying it so that the top of the bean is level with the surface of the soil.
Space them at least 18 inches apart, as they will grow quite large.
If you are planting them in a garden, make sure to plant them in an area that gets full sun exposure.
If you are planting them in a pot, use a pot that is at least 10 inches in diameter and 6 inches deep.
Can I grow garbanzo beans in a pot, indoors?
Garbanzo beans can be grown indoors using a container that is at least 8 inches deep.
However, container grown chickpeas will not grow as well as outdoor plants, due to the amount of space that they require, but, you can grow them in pots.
What type of soil do garbanzo beans need?
Garbanzo beans need a well drained soil that gets as much sun as possible.
Before you plant the seeds ( or the young plants if you started them indoors) break up the soil with a garden fork and work in as much organic matter, such as manure and rotted compost, as you can to help with drainage and to provide nutrients.
Try to position your plants in a south facing bed to give them the maximum amount of sunlight.
How long do garbanzo beans take to germinate?
Your beans will show signs of germination within 6 to 8 days so make sure that you keep the soil moist but not soaked.
If you are growing the seeds indoors then, as soon as you see the shoots, place the pots in a warm and well light position that is free from draughts.
You can plant your pot grown garbanzo outdoors when the young plants reach a height of 6 to 8 inches.
How do I care for them?
Once they are planted, garbanzo beans don’t require much care.
Just make sure to water them regularly, especially if you are growing them in a pot.
They will also need regular fertilizing, especially when they are young.
A balanced organic fertilizer like fish emulsion or kelp meal will provide them with all the nutrients they need.
When do I harvest them?
Garbanzo beans can be harvested when they are young and tender, about 60 days after planting, or you can wait until they are fully mature, which takes about 100 days.
The young beans can be eaten fresh or cooked, while the mature beans can be dried and stored.
To harvest the young beans, simply pinch them off the stem just above the soil line.
For the mature beans, wait until the pods are dry and brittle and then harvest them by cutting the stem below the pod with a sharp knife.
Be sure to leave some of the pods on the plant so that the beans will continue to mature.
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Final words
Garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, are a warm weather crop that can be grown in many parts of the United States.
They are a legume and can fix nitrogen in the soil, making them a good choice for organic gardeners.
Plant them in full sun in a well drained soil and water regularly.
They will take about 90 days to reach maturity and can be harvested either when they are young and tender or when the pods are dry and brittle.
Enjoy your fresh garbanzo beans.
