Chickpea (Cicer arietinum): The Mediterranean Crop That’s Made Itself at Home
If you’ve ever enjoyed hummus, falafel, or a hearty chickpea curry, you’ve already met today’s featured plant! The chickpea, scientifically known as Cicer arietinum, is one of those fascinating plants that has traveled far from its Mediterranean homeland to become a familiar sight in gardens and wild spaces across North America.
What Exactly Is a Chickpea?
Chickpeas are annual forbs – basically, non-woody plants that complete their entire life cycle in one growing season. Don’t let the simple classification fool you, though. These bushy little plants pack quite a punch, growing as herbaceous annuals with delicate, compound leaves and charming pea-like flowers that range from white to pink to purple.
Native Status and Where You’ll Find Them
Here’s where things get interesting: chickpeas aren’t actually native to North America. They originally hail from the Mediterranean region and Middle East, but they’ve become quite the world travelers. These adaptable plants have established themselves as non-native species that can reproduce and persist without human help across much of Canada and the United States.
You can currently find wild or escaped chickpeas growing in Alabama, Manitoba, Ontario, Connecticut, Saskatchewan, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico. That’s quite a range for a plant that started out in completely different climates!
Should You Grow Chickpeas in Your Garden?
The million-dollar question! While chickpeas aren’t native, they’re also not considered invasive or problematic. This puts them in a neutral zone where the choice really comes down to your gardening goals and personal preferences.
Reasons You Might Want to Grow Them:
- They’re incredibly nutritious and delicious
- As legumes, they actually improve your soil by fixing nitrogen
- Their flowers provide nectar for bees and other small pollinators
- They’re relatively easy to grow and don’t require much fuss
- You can harvest both fresh green pods and dried mature beans
Things to Consider:
- They’re not supporting native wildlife ecosystems like native plants would
- They prefer cooler weather, so timing can be tricky in hot climates
- They don’t have the deep ecological relationships that native plants offer
Growing Chickpeas Successfully
If you decide to give chickpeas a try, here’s how to set them up for success:
Planting Conditions
Chickpeas are cool-weather lovers that prefer full sun and well-draining soil. They can be grown as annuals across USDA zones 2-11, but timing is everything. In cooler climates, plant them in spring after the last frost. In warmer areas, they often do better as a fall or winter crop.
Planting Tips
- Direct seed in the garden – they don’t love being transplanted
- Plant seeds about 1-2 inches deep and 3-4 inches apart
- Choose a spot with good air circulation to prevent fungal issues
- Avoid overly rich soil – they prefer moderate fertility
Care and Maintenance
Once established, chickpeas are fairly low-maintenance. Water them moderately – they don’t like soggy conditions but shouldn’t be left bone dry either. As they grow, you might want to provide some support for the bushy plants, especially when they start producing pods.
The Native Alternative Route
If you’re leaning toward supporting native ecosystems, consider exploring native legumes instead! Depending on your region, you might find native wild beans, groundnuts, or other nitrogen-fixing natives that can provide similar soil benefits while supporting local wildlife.
The Bottom Line
Chickpeas occupy an interesting middle ground in the native gardening world. They’re not native, but they’re also not problematic invaders. If you’re looking to grow food and don’t mind including some non-native crops, they can be a worthwhile addition to your edible landscape. Just remember to balance your garden with plenty of native plants to support local ecosystems, and you’ll have the best of both worlds – delicious homegrown chickpeas and a habitat that helps native wildlife thrive.
