Grow your own Peanuts! Purchase our seeds at: https://wildhillfarm.etsy.com
My daughter and I have grown and saved these peanut seeds for 3 years on the farm now. We had an awesome crop in 2024 and want to offer them to you to try growing! Note: we are not a "seed company", we are just a CSA farm and we want to share this awesome crop with you. Originally sourced from Fruition Seeds, who sourced them from a Northern grower who saved these seeds for many years selecting for our colder climate.
Why peanuts are so awesome: They are legumes! That means they "fix" nitrogen, making their own fertilizer, and are like a cover crop that you can eat! The way they grow on the plant is beautiful, and so cool, you just have to experience it. Yellow flowers! A fun crop for kids to help out with, and super easy to grow. Did we mention there are almost no pests and diseases to worry about?
Peanuts are traditionally grown in the South in this country, but as climate change turns up the heat, we're able to grow these Southern crops more and more successfully up north here (we're in Western NY).
Our yield was amazing this year-- one little individual red peanut seed yielded us over 50 peanuts (with 2-4 seeds inside)!
Brief History of Peanuts: Peanuts are originally from South America, and were then brought to Spain and then to Asia and Africa. Enslaved African people brought peanuts to North America in the 1700s. We will donate 10% of our sales of peanut seeds to the Southeastern African American Farmers Organic Network.
Our Experience:
We have grown them in pots (each plant needs a minimum of 6" wide space to grow) but they definitely prefer a well-drained farm field the most. Our very well-drained sandy soil seems to be ideal, but I bet they would love any well-drained soil. Just keep watered during the hottest parts of the summer, and weed early and often.
Growing Tips: Well Drained Soil & Full Sun -- This is key! Make sure your soil is well-drained, or build a raised bed and bring in well-drained topsoil/potting soil/compost.
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Northern Hardy Valencia Peanut (1/25) (~16 seeds)
Days to Harvest: 110 - Planting Method: Direct Sow or Transplant - Height: 2’
Direct Sow: Plant a week after last frost, once soil has warmed up.
To Transplant: Peanuts transplant well, and can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting out a week after last frost.
Sowing and seedling care: Remove the peanut seed from the outer shell and try to not damage the red outer coating of the seed. Sow every 6-8” in well-drained fertile soil. Can be grown in pots too!
Seed Depth: 1” - Days to Germination: 5 at 75°F; 9 at 60°F - Sun Needs: Full
Spacing after thinning: 6-8 inches, rows ~20 inches apart
Harvest: Harvest before frost, or right after the first light frost. Dig plant up and remove peanuts. Use immediately (boil fresh peanuts in salt water- yum!), or cure them indoors for a few weeks in a well-ventilated area to store for seed.
Wild Hill Farm, PO Box 103, Ionia, NY 14475 * 585-455-1260 * [email protected]