Chickpea, 'Principe'

Germination

Sow seeds early indoors. Sow a single bean seed 40mm deep into a root trainer or 8cm pot filled with compost. Water well and place on a sunny windowsill, 12-25°C, to germinate. Germination 7-10 days. Seedlings will be ready to plant out after 21 days approx. with a 15 cm spacing. Acclimatise prior to planting out. Can be sown directly from late March-early April. Sow 2 seeds together 50mm deep, 25cm apart. If in rows allow 45cm between rows. Water well until germination occurs, then thin to strongest plant.

Growing

Does not require a fine seed bed. Happy in any garden soil other than clay. Nutrient rich soils encourage leaf growth which is prone to disease and mildews. Once established these require little aftercare.

Cultivation

Plant can produce Malic acid, an irritant, so wear gloves when harvesting. Gloves will also protect form the spiky pod ends. Blind pods can form in wet weather. Ready to harvest when the peas inside the pods look large enough to eat.