How to Grow Peanuts

How to Grow Peanuts in Your Home Garden

Peanuts are a fun crop to grow, simply because they taste good. They are native to South America. The plants need a long growing season, and light, sandy soil. They do not grow well in clay soils, as the pea pods or “Pegs” burrow into the soil. These pegs have difficulty pushing through clay soils. So, why not give them a try in your garden this year? Go get some raw peanut seeds and have fun! Soon, you will be digging out your favorite peanut recipes.

Did you Know? It shouldn’t surprise you to discover that peanuts are not tree nuts. They are Legumes… members of the “pea” family”!

Whether or not you grow your own, try making your own peanut butter. It’s an easy, and fun project to do with the kids. Find a Peanut Butter recipe.

Nutritional Value

3.5 ounces of raw peanuts contains approximately:

567 calories
16 g carbs
0 cholesterol
49 g fat
9 g fiber
126 g protein
mg sodium

Note: Peanuts have little to no sodium until you roast and salt them.

Peanut Plant Specifications

Days to Harvest: 90 to 160 days, depending upon variety and growing conditions.

Plant height: 12 to 24 inches tall, depending upon variety.

Light Needs: Full sunlight.

Ideal Soil pH – 5.0 – 6.5

Plant Hardiness Zones: 8 – 11

Deer Resistant? No.

Plant Type: Annual.

Native To: South America.

Botanical Name: Styphnolobium

Planting Peanut Seeds

If you have a 140 to 160 day growing season, you can grow these legumes in your garden. Plant them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Sow them one to two inches deep. Space seeds six to seven inches apart, in rows three feet apart.

If you have a shorter growing season than the plants need, sow seeds indoors two to four weeks before the last frost date for your area. Use individual peat pots to minimize transplanting shock.

Tip: You don’t need to buy seeds from a seed store. Buy raw peanuts from your grocer, if available.

Final Spacing: Thin or space seed 6 to 8 inches apart, in rows 24 inches apart.

Did You Know? Peanuts are an ingredient of Dynamite.

Days to Germinate: The seeds germinate in just 3 to 4 days, depending upon weather and soil conditions.

How to Grow Peanuts

Light Requirement

Peanuts plants love hot weather and bright, direct sunlight all day long. Select a growing location where these plants will receive eight or more hours of full sun each day.

Planting and Soil Needs

Peanut plants prefer soft and loose sandy soil that drains well. Mix generous amounts of compost and manure into the planting site. Work the soil several inches deep. If your soil does not drain well, slightly elevate or mound the rows.

Fertilizer Needs

First, mix a general-purpose fertilizer into the planting site before sowing the peanut seeds. Then, re-apply fertilizer every four to six weeks during the growing season.

Water Needs

If you have provided peanut plants with their ideal loose and sandy soil, then the soil will not retain moisture very well.

Make sure to provide water to keep the soil moist, as the sandy soils dry out quickly. However, do not overwater these plants.

Other Steps

Keep area weeded during the entire season, but especially when the plants are young. Weeds will compete with your peanut plants for moisture and nutrients.

The peanut pods, or pegs, will grow from a large stem that bends down and pushes into the soil. If the soil is too hard, then add a couple of inches of mulch and sand on top of the soil.

Also see:

Plant Problems

Soil Temperatures – Ideal germination temperature by vegetable

Ideal Soil pH – by vegetable

How to Harvest Peanuts

Harvest the nuts after the first fall frost. First, pull the entire plant out of the ground. Then, allow the peanuts to dry. Then, pull off the shells, roast them, and enjoy!

Tip: Save some of the raw nuts for seeds for next year.

Plant Hardiness

The plants are very tender annuals that will succumb to frost. So, make sure to cover seedling and mature plants, as needed if the danger of frost exists.

Peanut Recipes

May we suggest:

How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter – Make this as a project with your kids. Surely, everyone will have a great time.

Find More Garden Recipes – Over 350 garden recipes and still growing!

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