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Growing Fresh Peanuts in your Garden

Arachis hypogaea

February 8, 1998 Steve and Tammy wrote: I live in Idaho and recently found a strain of peanuts advertised in a seed catalogue that should mature within our growing season. Unfortunately, I know nothing about peanuts or anyone who does. How are they planted and cared for? What makes them do well? What kind of soil do they do well in? I would appreciate any information you might be able to provide in raising peanuts. Thanks,Steve

Peanuts, Arachis hypogaea, do best during a long, hot growing season. Plant them in early to mid April, or when the soil has warmed sufficiently.

Remove the seeds from the shells and plant them about 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep. Plant about four or five seeds for each foot of row. The rows should be 30-36 inches apart.

The soil should be light and sandy, with plenty of organic matter. The soil should be loose, not clayish and hard. Leaves, compost or well rotted manure should be added. Rocks and sticks should be removed.

A soil test should be used to determine the lime and fertilizer needs for growing peanuts in your soil. A soil pH of about 6.0 would be optimum for peanuts, but the crop can produce well over a wide soil pH range. If lime is needed, broadcast the recommended amount and incorporate with the soil well in advance of planting. One-half cup 8-8-8 fertilizer for each 10 feet of row prior to planting, however if the area was heavily fertilized during the previous year, you can use considerably less. Peanuts need calcium in the top three to four inches of soil where pods develop. Without calcium, the nuts will not fill out. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) can be applied when the peanuts flower to supply needed calcium at a rate of one cup for each ten feet of row.

Cultivation to control weeds should be shallow. This prevents damage to peanuts because they develop near the soil surface.

Don't let peanut plants dry out during flowering. Water them weekly until the soil is soaked six to eight inches deep. If the plants are allowed to dry out at any time after flowering, the plants will make fewer peanuts. Mulching with well rotted compost will help to keep the soil moist and help to control the weeds, however over-watering can cause the nuts to sprout in the ground.
Peanuts flower over a long period of time and therefore all pods do not mature at the same time. Consequently, judgment and experience is necessary when determining when to harvest the peanuts. Generally, peanuts are ready for harvest when older plants begin to yellow.

They should be dug and left to dry upside down on the row for a day or two, much as you would with potatoes. If it's rainy, dry them in an airy place, out of rain. When the nuts are dry, pull them from the roots and store them. Happy munching!

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