Peanut
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PEANUT

For planting instructions and seed specs, see Cultivation below


Peanut seed

  Rich's Indiana Peanut (90-100 days)  This variety has been developed to perform well in cooler conditions.  Plants are erect with yellow blooms and large seeds.  Better cool germination leads to earlier planting and higher yields than Virginia Jumbo. Easier cleaning shells at harvest make this a good variety for planting in richer and less sandy ground.
#12361  2oz in shell (Approximately 45 seeds) Packet   $5.50 
#B1-12361   Bulk seed    1lb  in shell   $11.99

 
Virginia Jumbo (110-120 days)  This member of the pea family is well-known for its commercial importance.   Best grown in warm climates, as they need heat to do really well.  2-3 seeds in each pod.  Great buttery taste when roasted.
#667  Packet   $2.50    Approximately 2 oz. in shell
#B1-667   Bulk seed    1lb  in shell   $10.99

Peanut Virginia jumbo seed Arachis hypogaea

CULTIVATION
Arachis hypogea is a member of the pea family, Leguminosae (Fabacae).  Peanuts are not nuts at all, but pods containing seeds. Native to South America, the peanut is widely cultivated for its seeds which can be used in a wide variety of ways. Peanuts were widely grown by natives of the New World (the earliest dated use is at 7600 years ago)and were introduced to Europe by early European explorers. In the US, peanuts were grown as a garden crop and planted as hog pasture crop until the early 1900s, when they began to be grown commercially. Currently, peanuts are ranked as the ninth most popular acreage crop grown in the US and shorter season types have the potential to become an important alternative crop in the Midwest and northern US. The plants are herbaceous tender annuals, bearing both male and female flowers - bright yellow resembling pea blooms. The female flowers, once fertilized, develop small pods or pegs which bury themselves in the soil and complete their growth cycle by forming the fruit (peanuts). Peanuts have from one to five seeds in a pod. Peanuts can have an erect or trailing growth habit, depending on variety and have long taproots with many lateral roots. The plants, like most legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil, improving soil fertility, making them an excellent cover crop. Flowering continues throughout the growing season and plants are harvested with many blooms still on the plants. Peanuts prefer a well drained sandy loam with only moderate amounts of organic matter mixed in. Soil should be friable with a moderate amount of clay. Heavy clay soils should be broken up with sand. Optimum pH is 6.0 to 6.5 but 5.5 to 7 is acceptable. Salty soil should be avoided. Peanut seeds are pressed to make peanut oil for use in cooking, and roasted to eat out of hand or to manufacture peanut butter. They are also used to manufacture peanut flour. Industrial uses include ingredient in paint, nitroglycerin, plastics, and fuel. Extremely nutritious, raw peanuts are a rich source of protein, carbohydrates, fat, Niacin (Vitamin B3),Vitamin E, and many dietary minerals and fiber per a 100 gram serving. They also contain beneficial polyphenols and phytosterols.

Propagation
is done by sowing seed directly or for transplants. FOR TRANSPLANTS: Peanuts grow taproots very quickly and will need adequate growth space so plant in deep pots or cell trays. If in the shell, seed should be shelled before planting. Plant only undamaged seed with intact seed coats. Soak seed in warm water for 12 hours prior to planting. Plant seeds 1-1-1/2 inch deep. Keep moist at 70-75F until germination. When seedlings have two sets of leaves, transplant to prepared area outdoors. DIRECT SOW: Prepare the area to be planted by digging deeply (8-9 inches. Work in sand or organic matter or lime if necessary. Choose undamaged seed with intact seed coats. Sow seed 3 inches apart at a depth of 2 inches in rows 3ft apart for home garden (plant up to 4 inches deep for sandy soils). Field crop rows with proper equipment can be as close as 24 inches apart. Cultivate shallowly to keep weeds down begin careful not to disturb the pegs.
HARVEST
: Pull plants when the pods have a veined surface. In areas with a shorter growing season, pull plants after the first killing frost and the leaves are blackend and the soil is relatively dry. Remove the peanuts from the plant and remove the soil by shaking or washing. Pods should then be dried. Heat sources and fans can be used, but should not be over 95F.
TO STORE FOR SEED
: Clean and dry pods and store in the pod. Seed stores best at 32F.

SEED SPECS:  Avg. 320-650 seeds per pound.

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