 | Although it is possible for the kids to grow a peanut plant in a pot, growing them in your garden is a whole different venture, and one that is pretty much restricted to the southern states. In fact, only seven states account for 98% of the peanuts grown in the U.S. So if you reside in Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Virginia or North Carolina, your chances are better than the rest of the country, but if you have a warm, long growing season, get out the garden tools and start planting!
Peanuts, like many other plants, come in a wide range of varieties, but only four basic types. The Spanish and Valencia tend to have smaller kernels and are used for specific treatments/snack preparation. The more popular varieties are the Runner, a relatively new plant with a very high yield of good-sized kernels that make up 75% of the U.S. market, and the Virginia, which grows large kernels for in shell sales or roasting, and which constitutes another 21% of the market.
If peanuts are a new venture, it helps to understand just how they grow. The peanut plant is unusual, in that it grows above ground, but “fruits” below the surface. Upon germination, the plant, which has green oval leaves, will grow to about 18” high, developing a crop of blossoms around the lower level. These flowers are self-pollinating, and when done, will drop their petals as the ovary begins to develop into a “peg”, that grows away from the plant and towards the earth. Once it reaches the soil, it enters and positions itself horizontal to the surface, and begins to grow a peanut. Each plant will produce anywhere from 30-60 pods, or peanut shells.
Growing them is relatively easy, and something the kids will really enjoy. The plants prefer a pH of 5.8-6.5, which can be adjusted with an application of lime if necessary. They also like a loose, sandy type soil, but you can always change your clay-based dirt into a more hospitable environment by adding plenty of compost.
Check with a peanut resource on the best fertilizer to use, and apply some at the time of planting. Purchase whole, in the shell peanuts at your grocery store, or better yet, a store that sells organic products, so you can be sure there are no chemical contaminants. Shell the peanuts and try not to remove the skins, which are said to help repel pests. Plant each peanut approximately 1 ½” down, and six inches apart, in rows that are spaced at least two feet from each other. Once the seedlings have sprouted, thin your rows to plants that are a foot apart. Water, but do not drown the peanut/seed.
As the plants get into the growth period, at about 8” high, start hilling them as you would a potato plant. This helps protect the ground where the peanuts will grow, and brings the soil surface closer to the pegs that will soon be heading for the ground. During the growing season, be careful with weeding, so you don’t disturb the developing pods.
Harvesting your peanuts can be a tricky decision. There are a number of variables that affect the timing. Crops planted early in the season, actually mature later than those planted when the warm weather is well-established. Certain types mature faster than others. In general, your guideline should be the recommendations given for the type of peanut you planted. That, and foliage that turns yellow and begins to dry is a good indication that it’s time to lift out the pods, either by hand, or with a fork. Since the plants bloom and put down pegs throughout the season, there will likely be a few immature, and possible a few tough, older peanuts, but for the most part, you’ll have a great crop to boil, shell or roast.
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