Growing peanuts from store-bought nuts can be a fun and rewarding gardening project. Here’s how to get started:
- Selecting Peanuts:
- Choose fresh, raw, uncooked peanuts in their shells.
- Avoid roasted or salted peanuts as they won’t germinate.
- Preparation and Planting:
- Start indoors 5-8 weeks before the last frost date for an early start.
- Plant in well-draining, loose soil, adding sand and aged compost if needed.
- Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep and 24-36 inches apart in rows spaced at least 72 inches apart.
- Location and Soil:
- Choose a sunny site as peanuts need full sun.
- Use row covers to protect young plants from spring frosts.
- Soil should be light, loamy, and slightly acidic (pH 5.5-7.0).
- Watering and Care:
- Water at least 1 inch per week, maintaining even moisture but not waterlogging the soil.
- Add mulch once seedlings are half a foot tall to retain moisture and control weeds.
- Fertilization:
- Peanuts are nitrogen-fixers, so they require less nitrogen.
- Focus on calcium, crucial for pod development.
- Use a low-nitrogen or balanced fertilizer before planting.
- Pruning and Propagation:
- Pruning isn’t typically required but may be done for maintenance.
- Propagate peanuts using seeds, selecting healthy, mature ones for saving and planting the following spring.
- Harvesting and Storing:
- Harvest time is about 100-150 days after planting.
- Remove the entire plant from the soil for harvesting.
- Store raw peanuts in a mesh bag in a dry place or roast them for consumption.
With the right care and attention, you can enjoy home-grown peanuts right from your backyard!
