Peanuts

I planted some Peanuts I got from a Farmer's Market late last year and they sprouted on 3 January. Peanuts are a sun loving plant and need five to 7 hours of sunlight. The plant should start to flower within 40 days from sprouting, but I had this plant in the shade, so it is a little late. Peanut plants are a tropic plant and thrive in hot and humid climates. The soil should be very loose free draining soil rich in organic matter. They require about 2 inches of water a week. 

Peanut plants need about a foot to foot and a half (30-45 cm) of space due to the unique way they produce fruit (Peanuts). The Peanut plant is a sort of vine and the closure to the soil, the better, so DO NOT prop it up.  

The Peanut plant grows small yellow flowers that self pollinate. Once germinated, the petals will fall off and the stem holding the ovary will grow downward and penetrate the soil, called Pegging. This process will create the Peanut pod under the ground. Each plant will generally have 30-40 flowers. Peanuts typically develop in 130 to 150 days, but regardless, wait for the plant to turn yellow and nearly dead before harvesting. Peanuts need the full life cycle to develop. Once the plant is harvested, remove the Peanut pods from the vine and let cure in the sun for a few days. 

(6/15) This is the peg that develops, which drives into the soil and creates Peanut pods.