How to grow Peanuts in Australia

Where to plant

Grow peanuts in full sun in light, loose, well-drained sandy loam. The pegs need to push easily into the soil to form pods, so heavy clay gives few nuts, and pods rot in wet, poorly drained soil. Dig in some compost but avoid heavy nitrogen feeding. Peanuts are legumes and make some of their own nitrogen.

They need a long, warm season, about four to five frost-free months, to fill their pods.

• South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: sow from September to December.
• North Queensland and Darwin: sow from March to May as the wet eases, so the crop is harvested in dry weather; allow about 170 days.
• Perth: sow from September to November once the soil passes about 20°C. Sandy soil suits the pegs; keep moisture even.
• Sydney and Adelaide: sow in October and November once the soil is warm, and lift before cold, wet soil in late autumn.
• Melbourne and Canberra: marginal. Sow in the hottest bed in October or November, after frost; crops are small in cool summers.
• Hobart: not suited outdoors; summers are too cool.

Choosing a variety

• Virginia types have large kernels and are the classic roasting peanut; they take longer to mature.
• Spanish types such as Red Spanish have smaller, red-skinned kernels and mature earlier, which suits shorter seasons.

How to plant

1. Buy raw, unroasted peanuts sold for planting, from a seed supplier. Roasted or salted nuts will not grow.
2. Shell the kernels just before sowing, taking care not to damage the thin red skin.
3. Wait until the soil is warm, about 18 to 20°C or more.
4. Sow the kernels about 4 cm deep and 30 cm apart, in loose soil.
5. Water in and keep the soil lightly moist, not wet, until seedlings emerge in about ten days.

Watering and feeding

Water evenly, especially from flowering through pod formation, as the pegs need moist soil to push into. Severe drought while pods are forming spoils the crop. Ease off a little as the pods mature, and avoid waterlogging at any stage.

Feed lightly. Peanuts fix their own nitrogen; too much nitrogen gives leaves instead of nuts. Adequate calcium in the soil helps the pods fill.

Pruning and care through the year

• Keep the soil loose and weed free around the plants so the pegs can enter it. Weed by hand once pegging starts.
• Hill loose soil or mulch up around the base of the plants as they flower, giving the pegs soft ground to bury into.
• Do not disturb the soil around the plants once pegs have gone down.

Harvesting

Peanuts are ready about four to five months after sowing, when the leaves start to yellow and most pods are full. Dig up a test plant first: mature pods are firm, and the inside of the shell shows dark veining. The plant keeps flowering, so some pods will always be immature.

Loosen the soil and lift the whole plant, shake off the soil and hang or lay the plants somewhere dry and airy until the pods are fully dry. Then pick the pods off and store them dry.

Growing in pots

Peanuts can be grown in a wide pot or trough at least 40 cm across, filled with a loose, sandy potting mix, in full sun. Expect a small crop; it is a fun project for children.

Using it

Roast dried peanuts in their shells or shelled, boil fresh green peanuts in salted water, or grind roasted kernels into peanut butter. Store dried peanuts in airtight jars or freeze them. Throw away any that are mouldy, as mould on peanuts can produce harmful toxins.