Early last spring I picked up some raw shelled peanuts from the baking section. I’d done it before so I was kind of excited. I wasn’t going to bake with them, I was going to grow them. I love growing peanuts, because they are such a fabulous talking point in my garden. Visitors are often quite astonished that not only, this is how they grow, but that I can actually grow them in my garden.
It’s not really something that I’d be keen to roll out on a commercial scale as I wouldn’t make a lot of money, but as a curiosity crop the yield is awesome. Well any yield, no matter the size, from any crop in the garden that is there only by the grace of its oddity factor is something to celebrate.
So in early spring, while it is still a little cold and my beanie is still very much a part of my daily attire, I take my raw peanuts and pop them into seed raising mix in the greenhouse and hope for the best. Once they emerge and the true leaves show, I transplant them into fertile potting mix and nurture them from the cold that is still lingering outside.
Once we get to the point where not only is my beanie not necessary, but I’ve actually forgotten where it is – more than likely discarded beside a garden bed, with a half drunk cup of tea. This is the point I bring it out and pop it into its permanent spot. I’ve heard that they don’t like to be transplanted, but when you are working with conditions that aren’t completely ideal, (ie no the long and very hot summers necessary) then you do what you have to do, cross your fingers and hope for the best!
With winter a week away, I probably should have dug them up weeks ago, but I forgot they were there. That is just how easy care they are. I have to confess a couple of my plants were beginning to die and their yield wasn’t so fantastic. So just before the point of death is the best time to harvest them in my experience, while all the leaves are still green and not mostly brown.
Digging them up is the best part…. Just watch and see:
Come again soon – it is getting colder and colder, gardening is becoming more of a brave endeavour.
Sarah the Gardener : o )
Fun!!
It was indeed! Cheers Sarah : o )
Sarah, I’m having a good giggle as the neighbor next door feeds peanuts to the squirrels, and they promptly plant all the extras in my garden. I dig them up in all sorts of places all year long. They don’t grow here, either because of the weather or because the peanuts are not conducive to our soil. I’m tickled that you have your own crop!
I’m also quite envious of that downpour. Oh to have rain like that.
It’s drought, year four. Mandatory water reductions of 30% start now. 🙁
Hi Alys. Peanuts as weeds! That is so funny. We don’t have squirrels.
I wish I could send you some of our rain. I finally got round to emptying my rain gauge the other day only for it to be full to the top 5 days later. The weather is being such a tease because between the showers is bright sunshine, so you think it is good to go outside, only to get caught in the next down pour!
I really hope you get a change in your weather patterns soon.
Cheers Sarah : o ) xx
Sarah, what an awesome crop of home grown peanuts, bravo my dear..
take care from Laura
Thanks Laura. It was loads of fun to have something unusual in the garden.
Cheers Sarah : o )
Lovely I tried in my old garden then moved so will have to try again lovely post thank you for sharing
Thanks Linda for you sweet words. Cheers Sarah : o )
Hey Sarah .. brrhh, I think winter may be here a week early. Those peanuts look great … one thing I have never grown. 🙂
Hi Julie, It is the heavy rain that is getting me down. Living in a swamp – things are getting rather soggy!
You should definitely give peanuts a go. They are such a fab talking point.
Cheers Sarah : o )
Lol, Little Mudlet was watching the video with me and was wondering just how many of the peanuts made it into the kitchen? Well done, we are super impressed 🙂
Hi Elaine. It was a lot of fun. I managed to get some inside and we roasted them. They were even yummier that way!
Cheers Sarah : o )
Wouwh, I love that! Peanuts, homegrown! Would you think they would grow in the Deep South, possibly staying in the glass house? Thanks for sharing this with us. 🙂
HI Marion. You can only but try. Let us know how you get on. Cheers Sarah : o )
I love this idea! I work in a children’s garden and they would learn so much by growing peanuts. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Jenny. It is great for kids as it is such an unusual way of growing. It is also cool for grown ups too! All the best with your project. Cheers Sarah : o )
Hi Sarah. I really enjoy your weekly videos and blog entries. Nice to hear from a down to earth gardener right here in NZ. 🙂 It might sound a bit bizarre, but I can’t find whole peanuts to buy! I’m keen to have a go. Any tips? I’m in Nelson.
Blessings,
Dawn
Hi Dawn – I get my peanuts from the baking section of the supermarket. Just make sure they are raw. Check the use by date to get the freshest ones. It has worked for me every time. They need a warm and long growing time, so in Nelson I’d consider growing them in a container – bucket size or bigger per plant so you can extend the season by moving it somewhere warm at the end of summer. I hope this helps.
Cheers Sarah : o )