Chick pea is also known as gram or Bengal gram. It originates from the Middle-East, but they're grown and eaten more often here in our country. This small, light yellow and neutral flavoured peas are very popular as replacement for meat and as vegetable. It's used in Medeterean and Middle-Eastern dishes. It's used to make Hummus and added to Tahjins. Each pod has 2-3 peas. Chickpea is high in protein and because of this it's very usefull as replacement for meat and good for a Vegan or Vegeterean lifestyle. Non-hardy annual. Height: 20 - 50 cm.
Presoak: yes
Indoor sowing: february - april
Germination: 7 - 10 days
Germination temp. : 14 - 22 °C
Sowing depth: 2 - 3 cm
Plant distance: 7 - 15 cm
Plant position: sunny and sheltered
Days till harvest: 95 - 100
Sow indoors from february on in small pots filled with potting soil. Cover the seeds with a thick layer of soil, because chickpeas are dark germinators. Pre soak the seeds in tepid water about 24 hours before sowing. This to guarantee a better and quicker germination. Put the pots in a warm and dark room. Cover the pots with some clingfilm to retain the moisture. Remove the clingfilm when the seedlings emerge. Put the seedlings in larger pots when they're about 7 cm in size.
Harden the seedlings of in the beginning of may.Plant them outdoors In the middle of may, after the Ice-Saint. Give them a sunny plot with some shelter against the wind and a sturdy support. Harvest the pods when they colour light yellow - brownish. Cut them with siccors from the plants. Each pod contains about 2 - 3 peas. The pods can be kept for about a couple of days in the fridge. The peas can also be dried. Then they can be kept for a couple of months in a dark, cool place.
