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Peanuts, which are not true nuts but legumes, can be grown at home in Australia during the warmer months. They require a minimum of four to five months of daytime temperatures above 18°C to successfully produce a crop. In northern Australia, they are grown over spring and summer, while in southern Australia, they are best grown as a summer crop. In the subtropics, they are grown from spring to summer, and in the tropics, they are grown in the dry season (late autumn to winter).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Climate | Warm to hot |
| Season | Spring to summer in southern Australia; summer in northern Australia; spring to autumn in most areas; dry season in the tropics |
| Soil | Loose, well-drained, and acidic (5.5-6.5 pH); enriched with organic matter, lime or dolomite, animal manure, compost, or fertiliser |
| Sunlight | Full sun (at least 6 hours per day) |
| Watering | Constant moisture can cause seeds to rot; water when the soil is dry about 5cm below the surface; water deeply in the morning or late afternoon |
| Container | Large pots (minimum 20 litres or 30cm wide); glazed, terracotta, or black plastic |
| Seeds | Planted 3-5cm deep and 10-30cm apart, with rows 60-75cm apart |
| Germination | Takes 7-15 days at a soil temperature of 18-22°C; seeds can be soaked overnight in room temperature water before planting |
| Harvest | Ready when foliage turns yellow and plants start to die down; cut the tap-root and invert the plant tops and peanut pods to dry in the field for several days |
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What You'll Learn
Planting times vary across Australia
In Australia, the best time to plant peanuts depends on the region and local climate. They are typically grown over the spring and summer months in northern Australia, while in southern Australia, they are best grown as a summer crop. In the subtropics, they can be grown from spring to summer, and in the tropics, they thrive during the dry season, which is typically late autumn to winter.
In the Northern Territory, for example, peanuts are typically planted in March and April, with crops taking about five months to grow. In this region, planting is timed so that harvesting occurs during the drier months.
In cooler climates, peanut seeds can be sown indoors about six weeks before the last expected frost. They should be grown in a warm, sunny spot with plenty of natural light.
Peanuts require warm to hot conditions and at least four to five months of daytime temperatures above 18°C to produce a successful crop. They need full sun, with at least six hours of sunlight each day, and well-drained soil.
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Preparing the soil
Choose the Right Location
Select a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least 6 hours of full sun each day. Make sure the location is protected from strong winds.
Test Soil Acidity
Peanuts prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7. Use a soil testing kit to determine the pH level of your soil. If the soil is too acidic, you can apply lime or dolomite to raise the pH to the desired level.
Loosen the Soil
Use a garden fork to loosen the soil to at least a spade's depth. This will help create a light and airy texture, allowing the peanut plant's roots to grow freely.
Add Organic Matter
Enrich the soil with organic matter such as aged animal manure or compost. This will improve the soil structure and provide essential nutrients for the plants. Dig the organic matter into the soil thoroughly to ensure it is well incorporated.
Improve Drainage (for Heavy Clay Soils)
If you have heavy clay soil, shape it into mounded rows to improve drainage. You can also add gypsum to the soil to further enhance drainage and overall soil structure.
Watering and Fertilising
Before planting, water the soil deeply and allow it to dry out slightly before planting. This will ensure that the seeds don't rot. If your soil is well-watered, you won't need to water again until the seedlings emerge, which usually takes about 7-10 days.
Additionally, while peanuts are legumes and typically don't require added fertiliser when grown in well-prepared soil, some gardeners choose to apply half a handful of gypsum per plant when they begin flowering. This provides extra calcium for shell formation.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to preparing the ideal soil conditions for growing peanuts in Australia.
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Planting and germination
Peanuts are a legume, not a nut, and they're easy to grow at home in the warmer months. They thrive in warm to hot conditions and need at least four to five months of daytime temperatures above 18°C to produce a crop. The growing season is spring to autumn in most areas, but in the tropics, it's the dry season (late autumn to winter) that offers the best conditions for growing peanuts. In southern Australia, they are best grown as a summer crop; in the subtropics, from spring to summer; and in the north, as a winter crop.
Peanuts need a sunny spot that's protected from strong winds and has well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Apply lime or dolomite if your soil is too acidic, and raise the pH level to 6.5 or 7. You can grow peanuts in the garden or in large pots. If growing in pots, choose a pot at least 30cm wide and 300mm deep. For mature plants, a minimum of 20 litres is recommended.
To prepare the soil for planting, loosen it first with a garden fork, then run a steel rake over the surface to break up any large clumps. With heavy clay soils, shape them into mounded rows to increase drainage and apply gypsum to improve soil structure. You can also spread a 3cm layer of compost over the surface to act as mulch and provide a loose medium for peanut pods to develop.
Peanut seeds can be sown directly into the garden, or seedlings can be raised in trays or containers and transplanted to the garden once established. Sow seeds 30mm deep and 15-30cm apart, with rows 60cm apart. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Seeds should germinate in around 7-15 days at a soil temperature of 18-22°C. Young seedlings will need protection from pests, pets and weather until they are established.
You can also soak the seeds overnight in room-temperature water before planting. In cool climates, seeds can be sown indoors six weeks before the last expected frost. Grow them in a warm position with plenty of natural light.
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Caring for the crop
Peanut plants need a lot of sun, so choose a spot that receives at least six hours of full sun each day. The soil should be loose, well-drained, and slightly acidic, enriched with organic matter. Keep the area free of weeds, which can compete for nutrients and water.
Peanuts are a nitrogen-fixing plant, absorbing nitrogen from the air and providing enrichment and nutrition to the plant and soil. However, manures and heavy feeding, particularly with nitrogen-rich fertilisers, can make the plants liable to rust disease. Instead, feed monthly with a seaweed tonic or use a peanut inoculant to encourage a healthy, abundant crop.
During the growing season, container-grown plants may need additional fertiliser to encourage healthy growth. Water when the soil is dry about 5cm below the surface, in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of plants to prevent fungal diseases.
Once the plants start to flower, you can remove some of the blooms to encourage better pod development. The plant will put more energy into developing larger and more mature pods. When the foliage turns yellow and the plants start to die down, they are ready to harvest. Dig up the whole plant with a fork, gently shake off excess dirt, and hang upside down to dry in the sun for three to four days, or until most of the moisture has evaporated.
After drying, strip off the pods and store in airtight containers, or remove the shell and eat raw.
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Harvesting
Peanuts are ready to harvest when the plant dies down and the foliage turns yellow. You can dig around the plant with a hand fork or trowel and remove it from the ground or pot. Shake off any excess soil, then hang the plant upside down to dry in the sun for 3-4 days, or until most of the moisture has evaporated.
Once the plant is dry, strip off the pods and store them in airtight containers. Alternatively, you can remove the shell and eat the peanuts raw.
Peanuts are a type of legume, and their seeds are produced underground. After the plant has flowered, the stalk supporting the flower lengthens, becoming a 'peg'. The peg grows downwards, pushing the flower into the soil, where the seeds develop. When growth stops and the foliage yellows, it's time to harvest.
In Australia, peanuts are typically grown over the spring and summer months in the north of the country, and as a winter crop in the north. In southern Australia, they are best grown as a summer crop, and in the subtropics, they can be grown from spring to summer.
To grow peanuts, choose a sunny spot in your garden and prepare the soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to loosen it, and adding animal manure or compost. You can also use a pot, which should be at least 500mm wide and 300mm deep. Position your chosen container in full sun and protect it from strong winds. Fill starter trays with a seed-raising mix and sow your seeds, lightly covering them with soil and gently watering. Keep the soil moist throughout germination. When your seedlings reach 10cm tall, fill your chosen pots with a quality potting mix.
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