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Growing peanuts, a rewarding endeavor for any gardener, involves specific steps and care. This guide will walk you through the process of cultivating peanuts, from selection to harvesting.

Key Takeaways

  • Selecting the Right Peanuts: Choose fresh, raw, uncooked peanuts for planting.
  • Ideal Location and Soil: Peanuts thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
  • Planting Techniques: Plant in loose soil, either indoors or outdoors.
  • Care and Maintenance: Regular watering, mulching, and avoiding nitrogen-rich fertilizers are crucial.
  • Propagation Methods: Understanding peanut ‘pegs’ for successful growth.

How to Grow Peanuts

Growing peanuts starts with selecting the right type of peanut. Fresh, raw, uncooked peanuts are best. They can be planted both indoors and outdoors, but ensuring proper soil preparation is key. The soil should be loose, well-drained, and ideally enriched with aged compost and sand. This ensures optimal growth conditions for peanut plants.

Selecting Peanuts

Table: Characteristics of Ideal Peanuts for Planting

Feature Description
Type Fresh, raw, uncooked
Shell Intact, not damaged
Age Recent harvest for higher germination rate

Location Considerations

When choosing a location, full sun exposure is critical. Peanuts require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If space is limited, such as on a patio or windowsill, container planting is a viable option. Ensure the container is at least 18-20 inches across and 18 inches deep to accommodate the plant’s growth.

Soil Requirements

The soil must be loose and well-drained. Peanuts prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-7.0). Amend the soil with sand and aged compost to enhance its texture and fertility.

Table: Ideal Soil Conditions for Peanuts

Soil Feature Ideal Condition
Texture Loose, well-drained
pH 5.5 – 7.0
Amendments Sand and aged compost

Planting Process

Plant peanuts by placing the seeds about two inches deep into the soil, with a spacing of eight inches between each seed. For indoor planting, use large, biodegradable pots filled with moist potting soil. Plant the seeds and cover with an additional layer of soil.

Indoor Planting Tips

  • Use biodegradable pots for easy transplanting.
  • Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Caring for Peanut Plants

Caring for peanut plants involves several key practices: regular watering, mulching, and proper fertilization.

Watering and Mulching

Peanuts need about one inch of water per week, but avoid overwatering. Once the plants are six inches high, cultivate around them to loosen the soil. Mulch with straw or grass clippings to retain moisture and prevent weed growth.

Fertilizing

Peanuts are legumes and thus fix nitrogen in the soil. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which can encourage foliage growth at the expense of fruit production. Instead, focus on maintaining the natural fertility of the soil.

Table: Care Schedule for Peanut Plants

Growth Stage Care Requirement
Seedling (6 inches tall) Loosen soil, mulch, regular watering
Flowering Reduce watering, maintain moisture
Pre-Harvest Stop watering, allow soil to dry

How to Propagate Peanuts

Propagation of peanuts is a unique process. As the plant grows, it produces small, yellow flowers along the lower part of the stem. After these flowers fade, the plant forms ‘pegs’ that grow downwards into the soil, eventually forming peanuts.

Hilling Up Peanuts

Once the plants are about 12 inches tall, hill up the soil around the base of each plant. This helps the pegs penetrate the soil more easily. Additionally, spreading a light mulch of straw or grass clippings can assist in this process.

Peanut Peg Development

  • The pegs are long, pointed structures growing from faded flowers.
  • They push down into the soil beside the plant, where the peanut pods develop.

Growing Peanuts: Problem Solving

Successful peanut cultivation sometimes requires overcoming challenges. Here, we address common issues and their solutions.

Pest and Disease Management

Peanuts are relatively resistant to pests, but some issues can still arise. Fencing is effective against rodents, while a steady stream of water can dislodge aphids. Potato leafhoppers and corn earworms can be managed with organic solutions like neem oil or Bordeaux spray.

Table: Common Peanut Pests and Solutions

Pest Solution
Rodents Use fencing around the garden
Aphids Wash away with water
Potato Leafhoppers Use Bordeaux spray
Corn Earworms Apply neem oil

Weather and Watering Issues

Peanuts require consistent moisture, especially during the flowering stage. Overwatering or excessive rain can lead to empty pods. If flowering occurs during high humidity, consider reducing watering frequency and ensuring good air circulation around plants.

Table: Watering Guidelines for Different Stages

Plant Stage Watering Requirement
Seedling Regular, avoid overwatering
Flowering Reduce frequency, ensure even moisture
Pre-Harvest Stop watering, allow soil to dry

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Varieties of Peanuts to Grow

Choosing the right variety of peanut is crucial for optimal growth and yield. Different varieties thrive in various climates and have unique characteristics.

Popular Peanut Varieties

  • Runner peanuts: Widely grown, known for uniform kernel size.
  • Virginia peanuts: Larger kernels, often used for roasting.
  • Spanish peanuts: Smaller, sweeter nuts, used in confectionery.
  • Valencia peanuts: Typically have three or more kernels per shell and are sweet.

Table: Characteristics of Peanut Varieties

Variety Kernel Size Preferred Use
Runner Uniform General Purpose
Virginia Large Roasting
Spanish Small, Sweet Confectionery
Valencia Multiple Kernels Sweet Flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we address some common queries related to peanut cultivation.

Yes, but they may require starting indoors and a longer growing season.

Typically 130 to 160 days, depending on the variety and growing conditions.

Peanuts are nitrogen-fixers, so avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers. Focus on maintaining soil fertility naturally.

Yes, ensure the container is deep enough (at least 18 inches) for the pegs to grow properly.

Harvest when the foliage begins to yellow and the soil is dry.