Welcome to the GIY (Grow It Yourself) lifestyle! Don’t worry if space for a traditional garden is limited (or non-existent). Peanuts are a hardy plant that can grow on a deck, patio, windowsill, or countertop in a container. A single peanut plant can easily produce a bountiful harvest of 30-40 delicious nuts.
The growing season for peanuts is from 130 to 160 days, which is why it is often considered a Southern crop. However, peanuts can grow in northern regions too, just start them indoors until the ground is at least 65 degrees.
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
- Pick a location for your peanut that gets at least 8 hours of direct sunlight and has loose, rich, well-drained soil. Growing in a pot? Make sure it is at least 18-20 inches across and 18 inches deep per plant.
- Break open a raw peanut shell to expose the seeds. Plant the seeds at least 2 inches into the soil. Water once a week and make sure you don’t over water your plant.
- When plants produce a yellow flower (30-40 days) mound soil around the base of the plant so peanut ‘pegs’ can push into the soil.
- Once ‘pegs’ develop, keep soil consistently moist.
- Stop watering about two weeks before harvesting peanuts (130-160 days).
- When the foliage begins to turn yellow, carefully check the soil and hand-pull the plant. Shake off excess soil and allow the entire plant to dry with the peanuts on it for about a week.
- Cut the peanut pods from the plant and spread in a single layer in a cool, dry place to cure for two to three weeks.
- Enjoy!
Share your peanut parent journey on Instagram with #GrowPeanuts.
Here are some ideas on what you can do with your peanuts:
- Make Boiled Peanuts.
- Roast the Perfect Peanuts.
Check out our peanut recipes that we’re sure you’ll love just as much as we do. Some of our favorites are: