2015 Gardening plans

New this year, I'm going to try raising peanuts. Dad raised a couple of crops years ago when I was a pre-teen. I remember them being much better tasting than what we could buy, and he and I both remember them being easy to grow. In those long ago days the peanut was considered a health food, and a treat. These days with the proliferation of allergies and digestive ailments the peanut seems to be just another food stuff relegated to the snack food for some kids. I plan to grow organic peanuts for myself and family. We will (hopefully) enjoy organic peanut butter with locally produced raw honey, and fresh boiled peanuts.

I found some organic peanut seeds available from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (http://www.southernexposure.com/ ) and chose carwiles virginia peanut (http://www.southernexposure.com/carwiles-virginia-peanut-28-g-p-1220.html).

For a thorough review of the health benefits of peanuts along with information about the risks of peanuts check out this link http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=101

Here's a couple of links on growing peanuts, for those interested:
http://www.southernexposure.com/blog/2010/12/growing-peanuts-at-home/
http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/how-grow-peanuts

I have tried growing them a couple of times with limited success here.  The first time the problem was me.  I misidentified the plant and ended up weeding a lot of it out.   

I have been thinking about planting some edamame this year mostly for the Kid to snack on.  Peanuts would be another great idea as well.  

I hope you grow a bumper crop.

I grew some edible soybeans a couple of years ago, we didn't really care for them as a raw food. So when I plant them again it will be for critter food or as a soil amending plant.

That sounds great Keith. I will be looking forward to your reports of how they are doing for you. Hope you get a bumper crop.

Thanks Rohn

I've thought of planting some peanuts this year as well. They're supposed to be great to grow in an orchard.

How big of an area would you need to plant t get any kind of useful yield?

I love peanuts, and peanut butter, but for some reason I always thought you had to grow a bunch to make just a little PB. I have never looked into it though. That is just why I never thought about growing my own. Funny how we can get things in our heads, and believe them even though we have never really checked to see if they are right.

God bless,
Chad

I love 'em too. Here's what I found, and what I'm gonna try...

"Peanuts are a great addition to a home garden since they require minimal care and provide bountiful yields."

" A well-grown peanut plant can yield 50 -100 peanuts–more than enough for your next ball game outing! "

That is taken from a Southern Exposure blog...
http://www.southernexposure.com/blog/2010/12/growing-peanuts-at-home/

"Peanut yields continued to rise, increasing to 4,192 pounds per acre, up from 3,386 in 2011. Georgia recorded the highest average yield of 4,550 pounds per acre, an increase from the previous year. Mississippi recorded the second highest average yield of 4,400 pounds of peanuts per acre, also an increase from 2011. (NASS 2013)"

from: http://www.agmrc.org/commodities__products/nuts/peanut-profile/

So assuming 3,000 to 4,000 pounds per acre or 43,560 square feet. That means 0.09 pounds per square foot. That equals about one plant and the 80 to 100 peanuts listed in the link above. So 10 plants would yield about a pound of nuts. The plants require are spaced 1 foot apart in rows, with 3 feet between rows, so the plant will occupy 1 square foot, leaving 1 foot unused space between the rows. 2 or 3 10 feet long rows would give about 3 pounds of shelled peanuts. 2 cups (about 8 ounces) of roasted peanuts is the smallest batch of peanut butter I know how to make. That 2 cups will yield about 1 3/4 cups of fresh organic peanut butter.

Yes that does require some space, but Dad planted 2 rows about 20 feet long and the four of us had all the peanuts we wanted for about a year. Average peanut consumption is around 7 pounds per person. So 7 x 4 would be 28 pounds...280 plants or a 10 x 30 foot area.

Since DW won't eat as many as I will I'm planning on 70 plants, that if they yield well will be plenty for me to share, and maybe save back some seed too.

Yeah, I was going to say they take up about the same space as a potato plant.  Good info.

Great info Kieth. Me and Dad are thinking of buying a garden plot that we have used in the past. maybe I will have to put me in a couple of rows if we get the land.

Soybeans are good dried and roasted like peanuts.

We are going to be working on more blueberry bushes. I plan to put several cuttings in soil to root the first of the coming week.

We like peanuts but have never tried to grow them. I may suggest that to DH. A few plants anyway to see how they do.

I want to plant some green peas this year if I can get to the store to get the seed.

I like the soybeans picked green and boiled with salt and garlic.  You boil them in the pod and eat them by squeezing them out into your mouth.  Yummy!

I'll warn you about green peas, the rabbits ate every single plant that came up as soon as they were 1 inch tall. Have a sturdy rabbit proof fence...deer proof too if they are in the area.

So far we haven't had any problems with deer or rabbits. Could be the boxer/mountain cur mix we have in the backyard. LOL There are deer around but I haven't seen any rabbits in a while.

good deal MM, hopefully you won't have garden raiders

Peas are nearly impossible for me to grow it seems.  I get them planted as early as possible and just when they are ready to produce we usually have a hot snap and they burn up.    It is so frustrating.

Farmfresh wrote:Peas are nearly impossible for me to grow it seems.  I get them planted as early as possible and just when they are ready to produce we usually have a hot snap and they burn up.    It is so frustrating.

Have you tried planting them in July/ early August? They make a great fall crop.

It is usually so hot here then I have problems with germination. 

have you considered a shade cloth row cover? Dad has used them to keep lettuce from bolting and help keep cauliflower blanched

That is something that I have considered, but never actually tried.  It might work.