Plant peanuts by sowing raw seed after frost, once the soil is about 65°F. Keep the red seed coat whole, then set the seed 1 to 2 inches deep.
Sow raw seed after the soil is warm
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Sow after frost, once the soil is about 65°F | Sowing into cold, wet ground |
| Seed | Raw seed, in the hull or shelled. Keep the thin red seed coat whole | Planting roasted grocery peanuts |
| Depth | Set seed 1 to 2 inches deep. Keep the row moist until it sprouts | Burying the seed so deep it cannot crack the crust |
| Spacing | Set plants about 6 to 12 inches apart, with about 2 to 3 feet between rows | A tight knot with no room for pegs |
Sow peanut in warm soil. Cold ground slows sprouting, and the crop still needs a long, warm stretch after that. [1] Sun and watering after the stand is up are on How to Grow Peanuts.
When do I plant peanuts?
After frost, once the soil is about 65°F. The seed needs warmth to sprout.
How to plant peanuts
Use raw seed. You can leave it in the hull or shell it, but do not crack the red skin. [2] Set it 1 to 2 inches deep and keep the row moist until the seedlings show.
- Wait until frost has passed and the soil is about 65°F.
- Use raw seed. Leave it in the hull, or shell it without cracking the red seed coat.
- Set seed 1 to 2 inches deep. In lighter sand you can go a little deeper; in heavier soil stay closer to 1 1/2 inches. [3]
- Space plants about 6 to 12 inches apart, with about 2 to 3 feet between rows, so pegs have room. [4]
- Water once to settle. Keep the row moist until the seedlings crack the surface, then follow How to Grow Peanuts.
How deep do I plant peanut seed?
One to two inches. Keep the red seed coat whole, and keep the row moist until it sprouts.
What fails at planting
Roasted grocery peanuts will not sprout. Cold, wet soil is the usual reason seed rots. A cracked red seed coat often means the seed is dead. Do not drop fertilizer in the furrow with the seed.
Can I start peanuts indoors?
You can start them a few weeks early, but the usual crop is sown in the bed once the soil is warm. Handle seedlings gently so you do not break the taproot.
If the soil is still cold, wait. Sow raw seed at 1 to 2 inches once it is about 65°F, and keep the red seed coat whole.
FAQ
Can I plant roasted peanuts from the store?
No. Roasting kills the seed. Buy raw seed sold for planting, or raw peanuts still in the hull that have not been roasted.
Do I need an inoculant?
If the bed has never grown peanuts, a peanut inoculant can help the roots fix nitrogen. It is not a substitute for warm soil and raw seed.
Virginia vs Spanish?
Those are market classes of the same annual. Spanish and Valencia often finish sooner. Read the packet for days to harvest, then sow the same way.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Iowa State University Extension -
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/article/1997/5-2-1997/peanuts.html - [2] Utah State University Extension -
https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/peanuts-in-the-garden - [3] Clemson Home & Garden Information Center -
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/peanut/ - [4] University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture -
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-6093.pdf
This note is part of Arachis Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors