"Peanuts are adapted to all portions of Florida except South Florida." states the University of Florida IFAS Extension Fact sheet on peanuts. This author/gardener came to the same conclusion after losing two peanut crops in previous years. However, earlier this year, I was excited to discover a brief article about an heirloom peanut from the Amazon which might be the ancestor of the commercial grown peanut. My search began for seed of this special peanut that would grow in our hot and humid summer conditions. www.RobsRareAndGiantSeeds.com offered "Jungle Peanuts" at $2.49 for 20 seeds with free shipping and handling and I bought.
When the seeds arrived, their color was surprising. Online articles described them as chocolate-brown with stripes. However, mine were closer to a dark purple-brown with an almost optical illusion of stripes. Having no instructions, I planted them as short growing peanuts.
The garden bed for planting was amended with a layer of compost and the soil loosened. This author planted in June, but peanut seed can be planted anytime after frost until about June to ensure enough time for the plants to mature before winter frost. One seed, per hole, two inches deep, and 12 inch spacing in all directions. The seedlings were slow to start, but took off with our deep summer rains.
Jungle Peanuts start out by growing stems with leaves that reach about two feet tall. Once the stems start to flower, gently hill up soil surrounding the plants being careful not to disturb the roots. From each flower an umbilical-cord-looking runner develops with an undeveloped baby peanut at the end. This runner is called a "peg". At this point, the stems lower so the pegs can mature in the soil. Author's error was planting them too closely and the stems were held upward by neighboring plants. Next year, I have a “note to self” to plant one row in the center of the raised bed so the stems can relax downward. Next planting will also include mounding up soil around the plants after they flower so the pegs can reach the soil easier.
Keep peanuts well watered, but not waterlogged. No special fertilizing is necessary. Pull the plants up before frost or when the plant starts to yellow and wilt.
Shelled peanuts can be frozen, sprouted, or roasted. Dried, shelled peanuts can be stored in a cool, dry place for 10-12 months, including the refrigerator. According to University of Florida IFAS Extension Fact sheet on peanuts, "Proper curing is necessary to insure desirable flavor, texture, and overall quality." They recommend 5-10 days in a warm, dry place that allows air circulation.
Being curious, in early October I had to give them a try. Carefully removing one large peanut from the mother plant I brought it inside. Unable to open the peanut shell by hand, the nutcracker solved the problem. Three bright reddish-burgundy peanuts tumbled out of the shell. Their skin color was startling bright. After 24 hours of drying, the skin's color diminished to the dark purple-brown of the original seeds received in the mail. Eaten raw, a day after harvesting, they had a wonderful crunchy texture and with an amazing pea flavor. When these peanuts are fully mature, they will be headed into my kitchen grinder for fresh peanut butter.
Note: Moldy peanuts are poisonous.
This is to be published in the December 2011 Lehigh Acres News Star
