How to Grow Red King Hummus
Red King Hummus
Cicer arietinum
vegetableRed King is a chickpea (garbanzo bean) variety known for its distinctive deep red color and nutty flavor. These legumes are high in protein and fiber, making them popular for culinary use worldwide. The plant grows as a bushy annual with delicate foliage and produces small edible pods containing 1-3 seeds.
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Example Red King Hummus timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Red King Hummus
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Red King Hummus
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red King Hummus dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-8, but can be grown in cooler zones with proper timing
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall shoots emerge with cotyledons (seed leaves) visible. Plant develops first true leaves within 1-2 weeks.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct sowing. Protect from slugs and birds.
Vegetative Growth
4-5 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with compound leaves on branching stems. Height reaches 16-24 inches. Roots establish deep nodules for nitrogen fixation.
Minimal fertilizer needed due to nitrogen fixation. Water moderately. Mulch around base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Monitor for aphids.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall white, pink, or pale purple flowers appear at leaf axils. Flowers are self-pollinating and last only a few days.
Maintain consistent moisture during this critical stage. Avoid nitrogen fertilizer which encourages foliage over flowers. Provide support if plants lodge in wind.
Pod Development
3-4 weeksFertilized flowers develop small puffy pods. Pods contain 1-3 seeds and mature from green to reddish-brown. Red King variety shows distinctive deep red coloring.
Continue moderate watering. Pods mature from bottom to top of plant. Watch for pod-feeding insects. Reduce watering as pods mature to encourage drying.
Harvest & Dry Down
1-2 weeksPods dry completely, becoming brittle. Seeds rattle inside pods when mature. Foliage yellows and dries.
Stop watering. Allow plants to dry in the field if weather permits. When pods are completely dry and brown, harvest the entire plant or individual pods.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Hand-pick affected pods; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage predatory wasps
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Remove affected leaves; use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil
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Increase humidity; spray water on foliage; use miticide if severe
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and
Hand-pick; create barriers with copper tape; use beer traps; encourage ground beetles
Uses
Protein-Rich Cooking & Hummus
CulinaryRed King chickpeas are excellent for making hummus, curries, soups, and salads. They have a nutty flavor and creamy texture when cooked, making them a staple in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian cuisines. [source]
Flour Production
CulinaryChickpeas can be ground into flour (also called gram flour or besan) used in baking, flatbreads, and thickening soups. This flour is naturally gluten-free and highly nutritious. [source]
Nutritional & Health Benefits
MedicinalChickpeas are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals including manganese, folate, and iron. They support heart health, digestion, and blood sugar regulation. [source]
Animal Feed & Crop Rotation
HouseholdChickpeas serve as nutritious livestock feed and improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers in subsequent crops. [source]
Sprouting & Seed Saving
CraftRed King chickpeas can be sprouted for fresh sprouts rich in vitamins and enzymes. Home gardeners can save seeds for replanting, preserving this heirloom variety. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when pods are completely dry and brown, typically 90-110 days after planting. Plants can be uprooted entirely or pods can be picked individually. Dry pods further indoors for 1-2 weeks in a warm, well-ventilated space. Shell pods by hand or use a mechanical thresher to extract seeds. Store dried chickpeas in airtight containers in cool, dark conditions for up to one year.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Chickpeas are one of the earliest cultivated crops, with evidence of domestication dating back over 10,000 years to the Fertile Crescent.
- 🌱 A single chickpea plant can produce 100+ pods under ideal growing conditions, making it an incredibly productive crop for home gardeners.
- 🌱 Chickpeas fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil through symbiotic relationships with rhizobia bacteria, naturally enriching soil for subsequent crops.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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