Peanuts are one of the most fascinating plants you can grow in your garden. Their botanical name, Arachis hypogaea, hints at their unique growth habit: the word Arachis refers to the plant’s ability to produce seeds underground, while hypogaea means “underground crypt.” Unlike most plants, peanuts develop their seeds below the soil’s surface, giving them the nickname “ground nuts.” This intriguing process makes growing peanuts a fun and educational experience, not to mention that you get to harvest and eat your very own homegrown peanuts.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Peanuts thrive in warm climates and sandy soils, but any gardener with a growing season longer than 120 days can try growing them, even if it’s just for the novelty. Peanut seeds won’t germinate until the soil temperature reaches at least 65°F (18°C), so planting typically happens in late spring or early summer, once the weather is warm enough.
Southern Exposure Seed Company in the U.S. offers fast-maturing peanut varieties like Valencia and Spanish types, which are ideal for home gardens. These types mature in about 110 days, making them quicker than other varieties, and they have an upright, bushy growth habit that is well-suited for smaller garden spaces.
If you can find raw peanuts still in their shells, those are the best option for planting. However, shelled raw peanuts with their skins intact can also produce good results. Many garden centers, even in the UK, have started offering peanut plants for sale, which could be a convenient option if you want to skip the germination process.
The Growth Cycle of Peanuts
Peanuts are native to Brazil, where they likely evolved their unique growth cycle as a survival mechanism against droughts and wildfires. The process starts about six weeks after planting, when the peanut plants produce small, yellow pea-like flowers. After being fertilized, the flowers bend down and send long stems, called “pegs,” into the soil, a process known as “pegging.” The pegs then move sideways to form clusters of ripening peanuts underneath the plant’s crown.
This process can take over a month, during which the plants continue to grow into large, sprawling bushes. Once the plants start to die back, or before the first frost, they are carefully pulled up, roots and all, usually on a dry day.
After harvesting, the plants are shaken free of soil and can be dried in the sun or in a dry, sheltered space, with the roots facing upward. Once dried, the peanuts are picked off and sorted by size.
Harvesting and Using Peanuts
Peanuts mature at different rates, so it’s common to find nuts at various stages of ripeness. Small, underdeveloped peanuts can be boiled in salted water, similar to edamame, for a delicious snack. Medium-sized peanuts are great for fresh eating, while larger, more mature peanuts with hard shells can be stored in a cool, dry place for later use.
Growing Peanuts in Containers
If you don’t have garden space, peanuts can also thrive in containers. Growing them in a pot offers the added benefit of being able to observe their development up close. In cooler climates, containers may even provide warmer root conditions than garden soil, improving your chances of success.
Choose a container that is at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide to accommodate the plant’s growth, especially the pegging process. While peanuts grow, you can make use of the outer sections of the pot to grow quick crops like lettuce, radishes, or cilantro. Peanuts are nitrogen-fixing plants, but they still need fertile soil and periodic feeding, especially when grown in containers. Containers may require daily watering in warm weather, so keep an eye on moisture levels.
Conclusion
Growing peanuts in your garden or in containers is not only a fun experiment but also an opportunity to witness a fascinating agricultural process. With a bit of patience and the right conditions, you can harvest your own peanuts and enjoy them as a tasty reward for your efforts.