How to grow Peanuts in Australia
Grow in full sun in light, loose, sandy soil in a long, warm season. Water steadily while flowering, then keep the soil loose so the flower stalks can push down and develop pods underground.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 30 cm
- Time to harvest: 140 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to December | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to December | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October and November | Sow Oct to Nov once the soil is warm. Peanuts need about five warm months, so later sowings do not fill their pods before autumn. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October and November | Marginal. Sow Oct to Nov into warm loose soil in the hottest bed. Peanuts need four to five warm months, and cool Melbourne summers give small crops. |
| Adelaide & SA | October and November | Sow Oct to Nov once soil passes 18C. Needs 5 warm months; lift before the cold wet soil of late autumn. |
| Perth & WA | September to November | Sow Sep to Nov once soil passes 20C. Sandy soil suits the pegs; keep moisture even and lift in autumn. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable outdoors. Peanuts need four to five warm frost free months, and Tasmanian summers are too cool. |
| Canberra & ACT | November | Marginal. Peanuts need four to five frost free months, so sow in November once the last frost has passed and the soil is warm. |
| North Queensland | March to May | Sow Mar to May as the wet eases, for harvest in dry weather. Allow about 170 days for a dry season crop. |
| Darwin & Top End | March to May | Sow Mar to May as the wet eases, for harvest in dry weather. Allow about 170 days for a dry season crop. |
Varieties
- Virginia (Bunch)
- Red Spanish
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Lift the whole plant once the leaves yellow, the pods are full and the shells show veining inside. Pull up, shake off soil and dry the pods before storing.
Storage
Dry thoroughly, then airtight jars for months, or freeze.