Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)

Germination

DO NOT EAT SEED FROM THIS PACKET OR FEED TO BIRDS. Sow indoors or under glass in spring. Sow directly after danger of frost has passed. Prior to sowing soak seeds for 12 hours in warm water. Drain. Sow into moist, well-drained seed compost. Place somewhere warm, ideal temp. 20-25°C. Germinations takes 2 weeks approx. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to individual pots and grow on under glass. Acclimatise and plant out after danger of frost has passed. Sow directly into prepared soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Keep moist until germination occurs.

Growing

Prefers any moist but well-drained soil in full or partial sun. This is a tropical plant and is best container grown under glass in the U.K. It is not frost tolerant. The plant prefers hot and dry conditions when the peanut seeds are ripening.

Cultivation

This is an annual plant. At the end of the season, if container grown, simply pull the plant and compost. If grown directly in the soil only remove the aerial parts of the plant as the roots will fix nitrogen in the soil as they decay.