Growing peanuts at home from store-bought nuts is a rewarding project. Follow these steps for success:
1. Choosing Peanuts: Select fresh, raw, and unsalted peanuts still in their shells. Avoid roasted peanuts as they won’t germinate.
2. Preparation and Planting:* Peanuts need a long growing season (100-130 frost-free days). Start seeds indoors 5-8 weeks before the last frost. Use well-draining, loose soil, enhanced with sand and aged compost. Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep, spaced 24-36 inches apart, with rows at least 72 inches apart.
3. Location and Soil: Choose a sunny location with light, loamy, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Use row covers to protect young plants from frost.
4. Watering and Care: Maintain even moisture, watering at least 1 inch per week. Mulch when seedlings are 6 inches tall to retain moisture and control weeds.
5. Fertilization: Peanuts fix nitrogen, so they need less nitrogen fertilizer. Focus on calcium for pod development and use a balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer before planting.
6. Pruning and Propagation:Pruning isn’t necessary, but peanuts can be propagated from seeds saved from healthy, mature plants.
7. Harvesting and Storing: Harvest 100-150 days after planting by pulling the entire plant from the soil. Store raw peanuts in a dry place, or roast them for consumption.
With proper care and patience, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of home-grown peanuts!