Chickpea Principe

Chickpea Principe 

Approximate Seed Quantity: 10

Rarely seen in the UK as it is usually grown in Asia and the Mediterranean. This seed is a white skinned variety of superior flavour. The foliage on the plant is particularly attractive with fern-like silvery leaves and it is very easy to grow. A profusion of pods are produced which, if picked young, can be eaten much as a petits pois or small French bean. A mature but still green chickpea is a great alternative to the edamame bean. Simply boiled, with or without pod, it is a fabulous addition to salads and perfect for green hummus. Download sowing guide

• Sow seeds indoors
• Planting depth: 40mm in a 7-8cm pot
• Water well and place on a sunny windowsill
• Optimum temperature: 12-25°C
• Days to germination: 7-10
• Plant seedlings out after 21 days once acclimatised to outside
• Plant spacing: 15cm
• Can be direct sown from late March to mid-April. Sow two seeds together at a depth of 50mm, 25cm apart. Water well until germination and then thin to the strongest seedling
• Plant can be an irritant so wear gloves when handling
• Any soil other than clay
• Blind pods can form in wet weather but usually each pod will house two peas, harvest when they look large enough to eat.