Growing Peanuts

GROW YOUR OWN PEANUTS

When most people think of peanuts, they think of roasted, salty treats that come from the snack aisle. But where did they grow before that? Peanuts aren’t as foreign as you may think you can even grow them in your own backyard. Peanuts do not grow on trees like other nuts, peanuts grow in a garden. You really can grow your own peanut butter nuts right there at home where you can keep them safe from chemicals and preservatives.Here’s what you need to know to grow your own peanuts:

Sowing And Planting

• You need to buy peanuts that still have their shells on because the ones without a shell will be too dried out to grow. 
• Peanuts in shells are often sold as ‘monkey nuts’ and can be found in shops and supermarkets. 
• Before sowing the seed, you need to crack the shells a little bit. This allows the water to get to the seed and speeds up its growth. 
• Use a pot about 12cm across. Look at the bottom of your pot and make sure there are holes in order to let water drain out. 
• Fill two-thirds of the pot with multipurpose compost, and water it very well so that water starts to drip out the bottom. er starts to drip out the bottom. Sow three or four peanuts, still in their shells,on the compost. Cover them lightly with about 2cm of compost, and water them again. 
• The seeds will grow in a few weeks, but you will need to check them every day. If the compost looks dry, give it a little bit of water.
• When the seeds have sprouted, take the pot and put it on a sunny windowsill. As the plants grow, they will need to be repotted. 
• Peanuts grow best in loose, sandy, well drained soil. They need lots of water, but won't germinate or will die after germination if they stand in water too long.
• Plant peanuts after the danger of frost in the spring when soil temperature reaches about 60°-65°F. Plant peanuts about 1 1/2 inches deep and about 6 inches apart in a raised row (hill). Germination will usually happen within 7-10 days, but a cool snap can delay it for longer.
• If you have a dry spell during the growing season, you may have to water your peanut plants to assure good nut development. 
• Mulch around peanuts to keep the soil surface from crusting and becoming hard; this will allow pegs to penetrate the soil. Keep the planting beds weed free and cultivate lightly to keep the soil loose. Mulching around peanuts will make harvesting easier. 
• Peanuts will fix their own nitrogen, so you don’t need to worry about fertilizing them. Your peanut plant will eventually flower, and the flower areas will send weird shoots down that burrow into the soil. 
• When you see these shoots aiming for the dirt, help them along into the dirt with a little extra mulch on top if you would like. This is the part of the plant that will grow the nuts for you. This is why each plant needs some room around it for the shoots to burrow into.

Harvesting And Storage

• Peanuts will be ready for harvest when the leaves turn yellow and begin to wither, usually 120 to 150 days after planting. 
• Lift pods with a garden fork, pulling up the whole plant. 
• Shake away loose soil and hang the whole plant to dry for about two weeks in a warm, dry place. 
• Seeds can be removed when the hulls are completely dry. 
• Raw, unshelled peanuts can be kept in a dry, dark, well-ventilated place for up to 3 months. 
• Dried shelled peanuts can be stored in a cool, dry place for 10 to 12 months. 
• Shelled peanuts can be sprouted, frozen, or used for peanut butter, or roasted for snacks.

Few Health Benefits Of Peanuts

• Helps Promote Fertility (Folate)- Peanuts contain a good amount of folate. Studies have shown that women who had a daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduced their risk of having a baby born with a serious neural tube defect by up to 70%.
• Helps Prevent Gallstones- It may come as a surprise that peanuts can help prevent gallstones. But 20 years of studies have shown that eating 1 ounce of nuts, peanuts or peanut butter a week lowers the risk of developing gallstones by 25%.
• Protects Against Age-related Cognitive Decline (Vitamin B2)- Study participants have shown that those who have an intake of the most niacin-rich foods like peanuts were 70% less likely to have developed Alzheimer’s disease. A quarter cup a day of peanuts can already supply almost a quarter of the daily needed value for niacin.
• Cancer Protection- A form of phytosterol called beta-sitoserol (SIT) is found in high concentrations in some plant oils, seeds, and legumes including peanuts. Phytosterols not only protects against cardiovascular disease by interfering with the absorption of cholesterol, they also protect against cancer by inhibiting tumor growth.

Chili Lime Peanuts Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 or 3 large limes)
• Freshly grated zest of one lime
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 cups shelled unsalted peanuts

Method

• Preheat oven to 250ºF. 
• Whisk lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, salt, sugar, and cayenne pepper together in large bowl. Add peanuts and stir until evenly coated.
• Scrape nuts onto large, rimmed baking sheet. Bake until nuts are fragrant, dry, and beginning to darken, for about 30 minutes.