by farawaysis

Created on: August 13, 2009   Last Updated: August 21, 2009

Peanuts are considered warm (at or above 85 degrees) weather crops that prefers light sandy soil and can grow up to 30 inches tall depending on the variety you choose. Peanuts grow best in soil that contains mulch and is not compacted. You can purchase the seeds online, at a feed store, or even at your local grocery store if they are "Raw."

[Sowing]

Sowing can be done after the last frost of the season passes. Start by plowing or tilling to a depth of at least 7 inches but no more than 12 inches deep. Mulch can be added during this process. Create mounds that is at least 1 1/2 feet across. You can gentle push the pods 2 inches down into the soil every 7 inches, then water them until the ground is moist (not water-logged).

[How to Grow and Maintain]

Once the peanuts are planted, keep the soil slightly moist and do not over-water them. They will tend to rot if the soil remains too wet for long periods of time. The best time to water is early in the morning (before the sun heats up the temperature) rather than late in the evening. Watering your peanut plants late in the evening could produce a fungus to appear on the leaves. If this should happen, there are plenty of fungicides on the market that can help you keep it under control. Once the plant has contracted a fungus, there is no cure. Fungicides are usually applied once every 2 to 3 weeks for peanuts.

[Days to Maturity]

Maturity is usually 120 to 140 frost-free days, depending on the variety that you have chosen.

[Harvesting]

It is best to check your peanuts before harvesting by digging up the side of one plant and pulling a few peanuts off the roots. If the peanut pods (hulls) are an off White color and the peanuts inside are Pink, they are ready to be harvested. Usually this will happen after the first frost in the Fall season, depending on your climate zone. If they are ready to be harvested, pull the entire plant up one at a time and hang them to dry for at least 2 weeks. After the duration of 2 weeks they can be picked and placed into a cardboard box for storage. Store the box in a dark well ventilated place until use (up to 2 months).

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