How to Grow Peanuts: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Direct sow when soil temperatures are above 65°F — usually around the last frost (USU). Sow 1½ inches deep, 18 inches apart, with 4 seeds per mound; rows every 24 inches. Needs a frost-free season of more than 110 days (USU).

Peanuts at a glance

PlantDirect sow: last frost
WaterApply 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
SpacingUSU: depth 1½ inches; 18 inches apart; 4 seeds per mound; rows every 24 inches.
Days to harvest100–120 days (Clemson); needs more than 110 frost-free days (Utah State)
-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
Jump to

Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) — warm-season legume; pods form underground.

Peanut plant
Peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea). Photo: H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized).

Planting timing

Utah State: “Sow seeds 1½ inches deep, 18 inches apart, with 4 seeds per mound when soil temperatures are above 65°F (usually around the last frost).” Needs a frost-free growing season of more than 110 days. (USU peanuts in the garden) Planner: Direct sow last frost 0, with the soil-temperature cue. Clemson’s SC garden-planning calendar gives coastal and Piedmont month windows as regional examples — not national frost weeks. (Clemson planning a garden)

Depth and spacing

USU: depth 1½ inches; 18 inches apart; 4 seeds per mound; rows every 24 inches. When plants reach about a foot tall, hill like potatoes: mound 6 inches of soil around plants, then place 3 to 4 inches of compost or grass-clipping mulch.

Sun, soil and water

Light sandy soil preferred; other soils work if compost loosens them for pegging (USU). Apply 1 to 2 inches of water per week. If plastic mulch is used, remove it when plants begin to flower.

Care

USU: “The application of nitrogen fertilizer to peanuts is usually not necessary” when rhizobium association is working. Prefer rhizobium-treated seed and compost; we omit printed NPK product rates.

Harvest

USU: harvest when leaves start to yellow at the end of the growing season. Clemson planning tables list about 100–120 days; USU needs more than 110 frost-free days.

Pests and diseases

USU: “Peanuts are usually not impacted by insect pests.” Possible pests include wireworms, armyworms, cutworms, aphids, thrips, and corn earworm; few disease problems in that local context. Cultural garden management first; no spray by default.

Related: ZIP planner · organic pest control · lima beans · all grow guides

Frequently asked questions

When do I plant peanuts?

Direct sow at last frost when soil is above 65°F (USU).

Do peanuts need nitrogen fertilizer?

Usually not necessary when rhizobium is working (USU).

How deep and how far apart?

1½ inches deep, 18 inches apart, 4 seeds per mound, rows every 24 inches (USU).

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources