The peanut may be a warm-weather perennial vegetable that needs 120 to 130 frost-free days to succeed in harvest. Sow peanuts within the garden 3 to 4 weeks after the typical last frost date in spring, when the soil has warmed to a minimum of 65°F (18°C). to urge a start on the season start peanuts indoors 5 to eight weeks before transplanting seedlings outdoors.

Description. The peanut may be a tender perennial usually grown as an annual, a member of the Leguminosae . The peanut plant grows from 6 to 30 inches (15-76cm) tall, counting on the type; some are upright and erect in habit, others are more spreading. Plants form two sets of opposite leaves on each stem and yellow, sweet-pea-like, self-pollinating flowers. The flowers occur on elongated, pea-like stems just above the soil and after pollination, they dip and push into the bottom 1 to three inches (1.5-7cm) to develop underground seed ends called pegs or peduncles; these are the seed pods we call peanuts.

TYPES OF PEANUTS

There are four basic sorts of peanuts:

• Runner. Runner type has uniform medium-sized seeds, usually two seeds per pod, growing from a coffee bush. Runner types are ready for harvest 130 to 150 days from planting. The uniform sizes of the seed make these an honest choice for roasting (often used as beer nuts) and spread . Runner types are grown in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• Spanish. Spanish-type has small, roundish seeds covered with reddish-brown skin, growing on a coffee bush. Spanish-types are able to harvest 120 days from planting. The Spanish-type peanut has high oil content and is employed for oil, spread , and snacks. Spanish-type peanuts are commonly grown in Oklahoma, Texas, and South Africa .
• Virginia. Virginia type has the most important seed of the four peanut types; the seed is most frequently roasted. There are commonly two and sometimes three seeds per pod. The Virginia type peanut stands to 24 inches (61cm) tall and spreads to 30 inches (76cm) wide and is prepared for harvest 130 to 150 days from harvest. Virginia type peanuts are mostly grown from southeastern Virginia into northeastern North Carolina.
• Valencia. Valencia type has three to 6 small, oval seeds crowded into each pod. Each seed is roofed with bright-red skin. Valencia peanuts are often roasted in-the-shell or boiled fresh and are often utilized in confection and cocktails. The plants grow to about 50 inches (127cm) tall and spread about 30 inches (76cm); most of the pods are clustered round the base of the plant. The Valencia type is prepared for harvest 95 to 100 days from planting. Most Valencia peanuts are grown in New Mexico .

Peanuts grow best in loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A sandy-loamy soil is best.

PLANTING PEANUTS

Site. Plant peanuts fully sun. Peanuts grow best in loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A sandy-loamy soil is best. Double-dig clay soil and add gypsum and aged compost. The soil must be loose in order that the pegs can penetrate and grow. Peanuts prefer a soil pH of 5.8 to 6.2.

Planting time. Peanuts require a minimum of 120 frost-free days to succeed in harvest. Sow peanuts within the garden 3 to 4 weeks after the typical last frost date in spring, when the soil has warmed to a minimum of 65°F (18°C). to urge a start on the season start peanuts indoors 5 to eight weeks before transplanting seedlings outdoors. Peanuts require nearly all of the growing days to possess an air temperature greater than 85°F (29°C).

Planting and spacing. Sow peanuts within the whole shell or within the papery skin surrounding the seed. Sow seed 1½ to three inches (4-7cm) deep; set seed 6 to eight inches (15-20cm) apart; thin successful plants or set transplants 18 inches (45cm) apart. Plant peanuts in double rows to save lots of space, staggering the seeds 18 inches (45cm) apart. Single rows are often spaced 12 to 24 inches (30-61cm) apart. When the plants are 12 inches (30cm) tall, mound land up round the base of the plant in order that faded flowers can set pegs down into Capitol Hill . For a start on the season, start peanuts indoors in individual biodegradable peat or paper pots which may be set whole into the garden.

More tips at Peanut Seed Starting Tips.

Yield. Grow 10 to 12 peanut plants per household member.

Companion plants. Beets, potatoes. don’t grow peanuts within the shadow of tall plants like corn or pole beans.

Container growing. Peanuts are often grown in containers but allow enough room for flower stems to read the soil to line pegs; choose a container a minimum of 18 inches (45cm) across and a minimum of 12 inches (30cm) deep. Peanut plant in soil

Keep the soil moist until the plants begin to flower, then waterless.

CARING FOR PEANUTS

Water and feeding. Peanuts prefer regular, even watering. Keep the soil moist until the plants begin to flower, then waterless. Once plants are established, allow the soil to dry between waterings. Empty pods, sometimes called “blind” pods, are the results of an excessive amount of rain or humidity at flowering time. Prepare planting beds with aged compost; peanuts, like other legumes, supply their own nitrogen.

Care. Mulch around peanuts to stay the soil surface from crusting and becoming hard; this may allow pegs to penetrate the soil. Keep the planting beds weed-free and cultivate lightly to stay the soil loose. Mulching around peanuts will make harvesting easier.

Pests. Peanuts haven’t any other serious pest problems. Fence rodents out of the garden.

Diseases. Peanuts haven’t any serious disease problems.

HARVESTING AND STORING PEANUTS

Harvest. Peanuts are going to be ready for harvest when the leaves turn yellow and start to wither, usually 120 to 150 days after planting. Lift pods with a garden fork, pulling up the entire plant. Shake away loose soil and hang the entire plant to dry for about a fortnight during a warm, dry place. Seeds are often removed when the hulls are completely dry.

Storing and preserving. Raw, unshelled peanuts are often kept during a dry, dark, well-ventilated place for up to three months. Dried shelled peanuts are often stored during a cool, dry place for 10 to 12 months. Shelled peanuts are often sprouted, frozen, or used for spread , or roasted for snacks.

PEANUT VARIETIES TO GROW

• Runner (130-150 days): ‘Florunner’; ‘Southern Runner’.
• Spanish (120 days): ‘Early Spanish’; ‘Pronto’; ‘Star Spanish’.
• Virginia (130-150 days): ‘Carwile’s Virginia’; ‘Jumbo’.
• Valencia (95-120 days); ‘Georgia Red’; ‘Tennessee Red’; ‘Valencia A’.