How to Plant Peanuts in a Container

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Robby

The peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a leguminous perennial plant native to South America that’s usually grown as an annual in the UK. Technically, peanuts are not actually nuts as the plant belongs to the Fabaceae (pea and bean) family. Peanuts are commonly referred to as groundnuts, earthnuts, or monkey nuts.

The common name groundnut comes from the unusual habit of the plant burying its pods in the ground. Known as pegging, the plants develop adventitious roots that anchor or peg the flowers into the ground, and the pods develop in the soil.

While not native to the UK, peanuts can still be grown successfully in some parts of the country, particularly in warmer regions (and/or indoors) and with the right care. Theyre best grown in pots in the greenhouse or conservatory, but you may have some success outdoors in warmer regions in summer.

Peanuts are a fun and rewarding crop to grow at home. While they require warm temperatures and a long growing season, it’s possible to successfully grow peanuts in containers even in areas with shorter summers. With the right preparation and care, you can produce a bountiful harvest of delicious homegrown peanuts.

Why Grow Peanuts in Containers?

Peanuts are traditionally grown in the ground. but planting them in pots offers several advantages

  • Allows gardeners in cooler climates to extend the growing season by moving pots indoors or under cover during cold snaps. Peanuts need 90-150 warm, frost-free days to reach maturity.

  • Provides control over soil conditions. Peanuts thrive in sandy well-drained soil. This can be tailored in container mixes.

  • Makes harvest easier by simply lifting the plant. Underground peanut pods detach readily from potting soil.

  • Takes up less space than traditional in-ground rows. Peanuts spread horizontally so containers keep plants tidy.

  • Prevents pod loss to tunneling rodents like voles. Pots elevate peanuts off the ground.

With the right setup and care, container planting makes growing peanuts possible even where summers are short.

Choosing a Dwarf Variety

Look for compact, container-friendly peanut cultivars suited to your growing season length. Some top options include:

  • Virginia Jumbo – Large nuts good for roasting. Matures in 100 days.

  • Early Spanish – Bushy plants with sweet small nuts perfect for boiling. Just 90 days to maturity.

  • Red Natal – Gorgeous red-skinned nuts with excellent flavor. 120 days.

  • Valencia – Bright red pods with sweet flavor. Matures in 110 days.

Avoid long-season, vining varieties that require more space. Stick to early-maturing dwarf types.

Selecting the Right Container

Pick a pot at least 18-24 inches wide and deep. This gives peanuts room to develop long taproots and form pods underground. Options include:

  • Plastic pots, barrels or buckets with drainage holes

  • Bushel baskets, wire planters or other woven containers

  • Fabric grow bags with sides rolled up as plants grow

  • Half whiskey barrels and wooden barrels

For succession planting, stagger 3-4 pots every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Dwarf plants can be 12 inches apart while larger cultivars need 18 inch spacing.

Creating the Perfect Soil Mix

Peanuts need loose, sandy soil that drains readily. Blend together:

  • 2 parts potting mix – Provides nutrients and moisture retention

  • 1 part perlite or coarse sand – Improves drainage

  • 1 part compost – Supplies organic matter for moisture and nutrients

Before planting, check that soil pH is between 6.0-6.5. Peanuts prefer slightly acidic conditions.

Planting Peanut Seeds

In spring after the danger of frost, plant pre-sprouted peanut seeds or seedlings:

  • Gently remove seed from shell, avoiding damage

  • Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep and 6 inches apart

  • Cover seeds thinly with potting mix

  • Water thoroughly until drainage flows from the bottom

  • Place pots in full sun

You can get a head start by sowing seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost. Take care when transplanting to avoid disturbing the taproot.

Caring for Container Peanuts

With consistent moisture and warm temperatures, peanut plants will thrive.

  • Water whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry

  • Fertilize every 2-3 weeks after plants establish using a balanced liquid fertilizer

  • Monitor for pests like spider mites, aphids, and thrips

  • Gently mound soil/mulch around plants as they grow to boost yields

  • Move containers to a greenhouse or indoors if temperatures drop below 50°F

Harvesting Your Peanut Crop

  • Peanuts take 90-150 days to mature depending on variety

  • Plants are ready to harvest when foliage yellows and inside of pods fill out

  • Stop watering 1-2 weeks before harvest to make digging easier

  • Dig up entire plants or invert containers and shake out peanuts

  • Spread peanut plants out and dry for 1-2 weeks

  • Remove pods, discard undeveloped ones, cure and store

Enjoy roasted, boiled, or raw homegrown peanuts straight from your garden! With the right preparation and care, container planting can help northern gardeners succeed at this fun, tropical crop.

Troubleshooting Common Peanut Problems

Leaves curling: Indicator of drought stress. Water plants more consistently.

Stunted growth: May be caused by cool weather. Move containers to warmer area.

Yellow leaves: Usually a sign of overwatering. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.

Holes in leaves: Could be caterpillars or leaf-feeding beetles. Remove pests by hand or use Bacillus thuringiensis.

White mold on leaves: Symptom of powdery mildew fungus. Improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliage.

Failure to peg: Caused by excessive nitrogen fertilization. Fertilize mature plants with phosphorus-rich mixes instead.

Poor pod development: Results from inadequate pollination. Grow multiple plants close together to improve pollination rates.

Frequently Asked Questions about Growing Peanuts in Containers

What size container do I need to grow peanuts?

Use a pot at least 18-24 inches deep and wide. Peanuts have long taproots and need room to develop pods underground.

How many peanuts will a container plant produce?

You can expect 1-3 pounds of peanuts per healthy plant. The bigger the pot, the larger your harvest will be.

When should I harvest peanuts grown in containers?

Wait until the foliage starts turning yellow and dying back, 90-150 days after planting. Dig up entire plants or shake out of pots.

Can I grow peanuts on my patio in pots?

Yes! Choose a dwarf, early variety and move containers to a sheltered spot during cold weather. With enough warmth, patio pots can produce peanuts.

What’s the best fertilizer for container peanuts?

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer while plants are establishing. Mature plants benefit from potassium- and phosphorus-rich mixes. Avoid heavy nitrogen.

With the right cultivar choice, soil prep, and care, it’s possible to grow a tasty peanut harvest in containers even in cooler climates. Just be sure to provide the warm, long growing season peanuts require by moving pots to a greenhouse or indoors as needed. In just a few months, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown peanuts.

how to plant peanuts in a container

How to grow peanuts

Grow peanuts in well-drained, slightly acidic soil, in a sunny and sheltered spot. They can be grown in pots or directly in the ground, but they require space for their underground pegging process. Harvest after around four months, after the plants have yellowed and died down.

Where to grow peanut plants

how to plant peanuts in a container

Peanut plants require warm temperatures and need a long growing season of at least 120 to 150 frost-free days to mature properly. Therefore, they are best suited to warmer regions in the UK, such as the southern parts of England and Wales. In colder regions, peanuts may struggle to produce a successful harvest due to the shorter growing season, however you can get around this by growing them in a conservatory or greenhouse.

Peanuts can be grown in the ground or in containers, depending on your preference and available space. If growing in the ground, choose a well-drained spot that gets plenty of sunlight. If your soil is heavy clay, lighten it first by adding plenty of compost or horticultural grit. Avoid areas prone to water logging, as peanuts do not tolerate waterlogged conditions. If growing in containers, make sure the containers are large enough to accommodate the pegging process, as the developing peanuts need space to grow underground.

How To Grow Peanuts In Containers

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