Growing Peanuts in Your Houston Garden

Are you Ready for us to Blow your Mind? Peanuts can Grow in our Raised Bed Gardens in Houston.

First of all, the peanut is neither a pea nor a nut. It’s actually a legume and grows like other beans, pushing it’s way through the soil and unfolding its leaves above ground. The leaves develop into a small bush which produces yellow flowers. The flowers produce a stem, called a peg, which elongates and burrows into the soil where darkness triggers the birth of the peanut. PHEW! Did you catch all that?? Awesome. We’re not finished!

The peg works deep below the soil surface, takes in water and nutrients, and forms a thin shell that protects the kernels. Planting to harvest takes about 5 months, but it is absolutely worth the time to see this amazing lifecycle of the peanut plant!

Tips on Planting Peanuts in the Houston Garden

Planting peanut seeds is easy. They will arrive in their shells. Remove the shell but not the papery covering around the seed. Sow seeds 2 inches deep and 5 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart (if you don’t have that much space, plant block style!). Firm the soil and water daily until germination, then let drip irrigation take over. Thin the plants to one per 10 inches.

Then, wait. Let nature work her magic underground.

Peanuts will be ready to harvest when the leaves turn yellow and begin to flop (110-150 days). You’ll want to lift pods with a garden fork, extracting the whole plant. Shake loose soil and let the plant hang in a warm, dry place for about two weeks. Each peanut plant will typically produce between 25-50 peanuts.

Drying the peanuts is important. Discard any peanut shells or peanut kernels that are discolored. There are excellent recipes online on how to roast homegrown peanuts!

Garden Girls’ Favorite Peanut Varieties to Grow

Peanuts are divided into two categories of plants~ runners (low, spreading) or bunch (peanut pods clustered around the root). You can find quality peanut seed for purchase at local nurseries or online.

These peanut varieties will grow well in Houston. Order seeds from www.ufseeds.com or www.edenbrothers.com.

Valencia~ Considered by many to be the tastiest peanut. Long, straight pods have 3-5 kernels with a red shell. They tolerate heavier clay soils if you want to try them in ground, and mature quickly (90-110 days).

Tennessee Red Valencia~ A Southern favorite. The pod produces 2-5 kernels, with papery red seed covers. This is a fast growing plant with slightly sweeter peanuts than the typical Valencia or Virginia varieties. Harvest in 150 days.

Virginia~ The classic “Mr. Peanut” variety. The large pods contain two kernels. The plants grow about two feet in height and take around 150 days from planting to harvest.

Runner~ This is the main commercial crop variety grown in the U.S. and is used primarily for peanut butter. Vine-like runners spread out from the center of the plant. The medium-sized shells hold two kernels.

Spanish~ A popular heirloom variety that produces 2-3 kernels per pod. This compact, fast growing plant is a favorite for raised beds because of its upright growth habit. Harvest in 120-150 days.

Peanuts are Fun and Interesting to Grow!

Let Yourself Grow