How to Grow Organic Peanuts
Peanuts are a delicious snack. They're not technically "nuts" at all, but members of the legume family. They're high in protein, and are perfect roasted, boiled, or turned into the king of kids' lunches: peanut butter.
Peanuts are believed to have originated in South America, where Peruvian people grew them at least 3,500 years ago. In addition to appreciating them as food, the Peruvians considered peanuts a status symbol and even used them as money.
Peanuts grow best in zones seven and up; they require a long growing period. Gardeners in zones five and six may get a small crop out of their plants, though. Peanuts prefer full sun and loose, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.3.
How to Grow Peanuts
In warmer zones, simply direct sow your peanuts after last frost, placing them one inch deep and about three inches apart. Later, thin the seedlings so that they are twelve inches apart. In cooler zones, start your peanuts in individual pots four to six weeks before the last spring frost date. Then harden them off, and plant them once the soil has warmed after the last frost. You can help the soil along a bit by laying some black plastic over it so it will warm faster.
To plant: you can plant the whole shells, or you can open the shells, being careful not to damage the peanuts. Be sure to keep the area weeded. Once the peanuts begin to flower, remove the black plastic mulch; this is necessary because peanuts form from the blossoms, and plastic will prevent that from happening.
When the plants are around a foot tall, hill the earth around the base of each plant. Long, pointed peduncles grow from the faded flowers and push 1 to 3 inches down into the soil next to the plant. A peanut forms on the end of each peduncle. Once the flowers have bloomed (or before) it's a good idea to put down a light mulch, such as grass clippings or straw to prevent the soil surface from crusting -- this will make it easier for the peduncles to dig their way into the soil.
You really don't have to worry too much about water; one inch of water per week is all they'll need. Because they are legumes, peanuts supply their own nitrogen. You won't need to add any additional fertilizer; soil with plenty of organic matter has all the nutrients the peanut plants will need.
Peanuts are not bothered by many pest or disease issues.
Harvesting and Storing Peanuts
To harvest, dig the plants up once the foliage has been killed back by a frost. Hang the plants by the roots in a well-ventilated area until the pods have completely dried. You can then roast the shelled nuts, or you can roast them in the shells by soaking the clean pods in salted water for several hours, then roasting them in a very hot (500 degree) oven for about an hour.
Some common cultivars to look for include 'Jumbo Virginia,' 'Tennessee Red,' and 'Spanish.'
Peanuts are not hard to grow: a sunny spot, a long growing season, and a little attention, and you'll have your own harvest of peanuts. It takes approximately 500 peanuts to make your average jar of peanut butter; while many of us don't have the kind of space in our yards to produce our own peanut butter, we definitely have enough to grow peanuts for fun, and (as with much of gardening) just to be able to say "Yeah, I grew that!"
Peanuts are believed to have originated in South America, where Peruvian people grew them at least 3,500 years ago. In addition to appreciating them as food, the Peruvians considered peanuts a status symbol and even used them as money.
Peanuts grow best in zones seven and up; they require a long growing period. Gardeners in zones five and six may get a small crop out of their plants, though. Peanuts prefer full sun and loose, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.3.
How to Grow Peanuts
In warmer zones, simply direct sow your peanuts after last frost, placing them one inch deep and about three inches apart. Later, thin the seedlings so that they are twelve inches apart. In cooler zones, start your peanuts in individual pots four to six weeks before the last spring frost date. Then harden them off, and plant them once the soil has warmed after the last frost. You can help the soil along a bit by laying some black plastic over it so it will warm faster.
To plant: you can plant the whole shells, or you can open the shells, being careful not to damage the peanuts. Be sure to keep the area weeded. Once the peanuts begin to flower, remove the black plastic mulch; this is necessary because peanuts form from the blossoms, and plastic will prevent that from happening.
When the plants are around a foot tall, hill the earth around the base of each plant. Long, pointed peduncles grow from the faded flowers and push 1 to 3 inches down into the soil next to the plant. A peanut forms on the end of each peduncle. Once the flowers have bloomed (or before) it's a good idea to put down a light mulch, such as grass clippings or straw to prevent the soil surface from crusting -- this will make it easier for the peduncles to dig their way into the soil.
You really don't have to worry too much about water; one inch of water per week is all they'll need. Because they are legumes, peanuts supply their own nitrogen. You won't need to add any additional fertilizer; soil with plenty of organic matter has all the nutrients the peanut plants will need.
Peanuts are not bothered by many pest or disease issues.
Harvesting and Storing Peanuts
To harvest, dig the plants up once the foliage has been killed back by a frost. Hang the plants by the roots in a well-ventilated area until the pods have completely dried. You can then roast the shelled nuts, or you can roast them in the shells by soaking the clean pods in salted water for several hours, then roasting them in a very hot (500 degree) oven for about an hour.
Some common cultivars to look for include 'Jumbo Virginia,' 'Tennessee Red,' and 'Spanish.'
Peanuts are not hard to grow: a sunny spot, a long growing season, and a little attention, and you'll have your own harvest of peanuts. It takes approximately 500 peanuts to make your average jar of peanut butter; while many of us don't have the kind of space in our yards to produce our own peanut butter, we definitely have enough to grow peanuts for fun, and (as with much of gardening) just to be able to say "Yeah, I grew that!"
Source...