How Peanuts are grown?

Unlike most plants, the peanut plant flowers above the bottom , but fruits below ground.

From planting to harvesting, the growing cycle of a peanut takes 4 to five months, counting on the sort and variety.

Sustainability of resources, communities and family are top priorities for  peanut farmers.

Learn about how peanuts grow and go from the farm to your pantry in our Journey of a spread Jar series.

Many people are surprised to find out that peanuts grow beneath the soil and don't grow on trees like pecans or walnuts. Here you’ll discover how peanuts grow, from preparing the soil for planting to the peanut harvesting process.

First the seeds are sown in the soil 

Peanuts are planted after the last frost in April through May, when soil temperatures reach 65°—70°F. Farmers plant specially grown peanut kernels from the previous year’s crop about two inches deep, approximately one to 2 inches apart in rows. Pre-planting tillage ensures an upscale , well-prepared seedbed. For the best crop, 140 to 150 frost-free days are required.

Seedlings Crack the Soil

Peanut seedlings rise out of the soil about 10 days after planting. They grow into a green oval-leafed plant about 18 inches tall. Unlike most plants, the peanut plant flowers above the bottom , but fruits below ground.

C. Flowers Appear

Yellow flowers emerge round the lower portion of the plant about 40 days after planting. When the flowers pollinate themselves, the petals fall off because the peanut ovary begins to make .

D. “Pegging” may be a Unique Feature.

This budding ovary is named a “peg.” The peg enlarges and grows down and faraway from the plant forming alittle stem which extends to the soil. The peanut embryo is within the tip of the peg, which penetrates the soil. The embryo turns horizontal to the soil surface and begins to mature taking the shape of a peanut. The plant continues to grow and flower, eventually producing some 40 or more pods. From planting to harvesting, the growing cycle of a peanut takes four to 5 months, counting on the sort and variety.

E. Farmers Harvest 140 to 150 Days After Planting.

When the plant has matured and therefore the peanuts are ready for harvest, the farmer waits until the soil isn't too wet or too dry before digging. When conditions are right, he or she drives a digger up and down the green rows of peanut plants. The digger pulls up the plant, gently shakes off any lingering soil, rotates the plant and lays it backtrack during a “windrow”—with peanuts up and leaves down.

F. Combining is that the Last Step.

Peanuts contain 25 to 50 percent moisture when first dug and are dried to 10 percent or less in order that they are often stored. they're usually left in windrows for 2 or three days to cure, or dry, before subsequent step. (Read more about the history of peanut harvesting.)

After drying within the field, a combine separates the peanuts from the vines, placing the peanuts into a hopper on the highest of the machine and depositing the vines back within the field. Peanut vines are often left within the field to nourish the soil or be used as nutritious livestock feed. Freshly combined peanuts are then placed into peanut wagons for further curing with forced warm air circulating through the wagon.

Peanuts Require Less Water than Other Nuts.

Peanut plants need 1.5 to 2 inches of water per week during kernel development; however, it takes just five gallons of water to supply an oz of peanuts, compared to 80 gallons for an oz of almonds. If rain doesn't meet those needs, farmers will irrigate the fields. The peanut may be a nitrogen-fixing plant; its roots form modules which absorb nitrogen from the air and supply enrichment and nutrition to the plant and soil.