Learn how to grow peanuts in your own garden!
We dig peanuts—literally! While they may be your go-to snack at ball games or in trail mix, peanuts are actually legumes that grow underground like buried treasure. With their pretty yellow flowers and quirky growth habit, these plants are as fun to grow as they are to eat. Whether you’re in the South or trying a short-season variety up North, this guide will show you exactly how to plant, grow, and harvest peanuts from your own garden. Let’s get nutty!
About the Peanut Plant
People are often surprised to learn that peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are not nuts at all. Actually, they are legumes related to peas and beans. The peanut plant is unique because its flowers grow above ground, yet the “fruit” (peanuts) grow below ground.
Peanuts, which originated in South America, have a long growing season. Depending on the variety, between 100 and 140 frost-free days are required. Therefore, they tend to be grown in the southeastern U.S. (especially Georgia). Still, some peanut varieties (with shorter growing seasons) thrive as far north as southern Canada.
Peanut plants look like small bushes with pea-like yellow flowers that self-pollinate. Once fertilized, the delicate petals fall away. Then flower stalks (“pegs”) grow longer and bend toward the earth, pushing the flower’s ovary or pistil into the soil 1 or 2 inches. While underground, the ovary at the tip of each stalk enlarges to form a peanut pod. Once all of the peanut pods are mature, they are lifted out of the ground.
Types
There are several common types of peanuts.
- Virginia types are the best all-around choice. They are the “ballpark” peanuts with nice big shells and are great for snacking. Virginia types produce high yields and have excellent flavor.
- Valencia types are often boiled because of their distinctive flavor, 3 to 5 seeds per pod, and attractive red seed coats. Valencia types produce smaller kernels and yield less than Virginia types.
- Spanish-type peanuts are smaller and often used in peanut candies and snack packs. They have smaller kernels covered with reddish-brown skin. They also have a high oil content.
- Runner types, as the name suggests, have a prostrate or running growth habit. These are the “peanut butter” peanuts, which are generally small but have excellent flavor. They contain two medium-sized seeds per pod.
If growing in Northern climates, select varieties with a time to harvest of no more than 110 days. Early varieties of Valencia and Spanish peanuts do well in places as North as Minneapolis.
Harvesting
Based on your variety’s growing season length, check for maturity about 15 days before the predicted harvest date. Harvesting occurs often in September and October.
The first indicator is to see some yellowing of the leaves. But the best way is to dig up a plant or two with a spading fork. Break the pods open and see if they’ve filled the pod completely, and if the shell is thin.
It’s best to harvest before the plants flop over, or your peanuts could rot in the soil.
- Take a big spading fork, loosen the soil around the plants, and gently lift them out so the pods are still attached.
- Carefully shake off the loose soil from the plants and pods. Then let the pods dry in the sun for about a week.
- After a week or so, remove all the pods and spread them out in a cool, dry area for a few more weeks. Avoid humid areas, or the peanuts could rot.
- Store the peanuts in loosely woven containers, or hang them in a cold, dry area away from rodents.
- The “nut” can be enjoyed raw, roasted, or boiled!
Recipes
Cooking Notes
Roast peanuts to perfection by baking shelled or unshelled in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes.
George and Becky Lohmiller
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