Peanut - Valencia (Arachis hypogaea) Peanuts Nut Heirloom Legume
Peanut - Valencia (Arachis hypogaea) Peanuts Nut Heirloom Legume
Annual
Height 18 in
Valencia Peanut has a sweet flavor and is commonly used for all-natural peanut butter, and is defined as having 3 or more kernels per shell. The Valencia variety is also an excellent choice for use as boiled peanuts. Valencia peanuts are mainly grown in the southern US states (Texas and New Mexico) and are perfectly suited for growing in southern Ontario, and other long growing season areas of Canada. Peanuts are warm-season annuals that require a minimum of 120 frost free days to reach maturity.
The flowering and fruiting of peanuts are similar to growing potatoes; plants flower above ground, and the pods develop below ground. Peanut plants begin to bloom about 30 to 40 days after emergence; and peanuts mature around 120 days. And just like your potato plants, your harvest will only be known when you dig the plants up at the end of the season, and when the leaves turn yellow and start to wither, signifying that they're ready to be harvested and shelled. The outer shell reaches full size well before the individual peanuts mature. Each plant produces between 25 and 50 peanuts. Mature plants may be as large as 36 inches in diameter and about 18 inches tall.
Peanuts are self pollinated. They do not require outside aid, such as bees, other insects or wind to carry pollen. Peanuts can grow in geographical areas where pollinators are scarce or absent. Peanuts (and peanut butter) are a highly nutritious food source for people.
- Full sun
- Well-draining sandy soil
- Soak seeds overnight
- Start seeds indoors: growers with shorter seasons should start seeds indoors in a large pot 5 to 6 weeks prior to the last frost. Sow seeds 1 to 1 1/2 in deep, and place in the sunniest spot possible. Water weekly.
- Transplant seedlings to the garden after all risk of frost has passed, and when the soil warms to between 60 and 70 degrees
- OR direct sow 3 weeks after the last frost, and once the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees F (16 C). Sow seeds 2 in deep and water in lightly. Water weekly.
- Spacing: 4 to 6 inches apart (10-15 cm)
- Keep plants evenly watered and the area well weeded throughout the growing season. Leave the plants to mature as long as possible in the fall, then dig up the entire plant after the first frost.
- Note: hang the entire plant in a garage or basement to dry to cure as freshly harvested peanuts have a high water content. The drier the peanuts are, the easier they are to roast.
- Roast shelled peanuts at 175-190 C (350-375 F) for 15 to 20 minutes. If roasting peanuts in the shell, increase the roasting time to 20 to 25 minutes.
- Seed Count: 20