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- 1). Till the ground early in the spring to a depth of 12 inches. Work the soil until it is loose and fine. While working, remove dirt clods, rocks, sticks and other debris that can hinder the peanuts forming under the ground. Do not till the ground if it is wet, because this hardens the ground.
- 2). Amend the soil with 4 inches of compost. If you have the chance to obtain manure, add 1/2 inch of it into the soil also.
- 3). Dig a hole 2 inches deep with your trowel and sow one peanut pod at its bottom after the last spring frost date in your area.
- 4). Cover the pod with 2 inches of amended soil and firm the surface of the ground with your fingers before moving to plant the next pod. Space each peanut pod 7 inches apart. Do not shell or break open the pods.
- 5). Water the peanut garden to a depth of 8 inches. Apply more water as necessary to keep the soil moist but not wet. It usually takes seven days for the peanut pods to sprout.
- 6). Pull any encroaching weeds to keep the peanut patch weed-free. The roots of the peanuts develop near the surface of the ground, so remove weeds carefully.
- 7). Mulch the ground when the peanuts are 4 inches tall with 1 to 2 inches of well-rotted compost or leaves to help control weeds.
- 8). Water the soil once a week to a depth of 8 inches when the peanuts flower. The small bright yellow flowers resemble peas. It takes six to eight weeks after planting for the flowers to form. Do not allow the soil to dry out during flowering or it will reduce the amount of peanuts produced. Don't over-water either, because the peanuts that do form underground could begin to sprout. It takes 120 to 150 days for the peanut plants to mature.
- 9). Dig the peanut plants out of the ground after they have withered and died. Shake off the dirt from the roots and peanuts, and lay the plants in a well-ventilated area or tie the plants into bundles and hang them up to dry for 14 days.
- 10
Remove the peanuts from the plant, and continue to cure the peanuts for another 14 to 21 days.
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