Hello Stan;

I would like to grow a peanut plant. Can you tell me how to take care of it.

Thanks;
Hermine

Hermine - Thanks for the interesting query, Peanuts can be grown in our area, with a few modifications to our regular 'flat land gardening'.

Peanuts are a legume that sets the pods below ground.

Peanut seeds can be ordered from most seed catalogues, or even can be found in pacs with the regular garden seed pacs.

The priority these seeds require, is well drained sandy soil that sustain a soil or soil-less mix temperature of 68 to 72 degrees F. The best way to insure a crop of real nuts, is to hill your area of planting as soon as the soil can be worked. Lay out and anchor black poly to these hills to absorb the suns heat, then when the temps reach the magic number, pop the seeds through slits in the poly, and into the soil at a depth of 2 or 3 inches.

As the quite considerable foliage continues to grow, fertilize with triple 20 each week. When the plant finishes flowering, cut at least one third of the leaf and stem back to ensure all the energy of the plant will be targeted to the nuts.

The thing of it is.... our weather begins to cool down towards fall, at the worst possible time for these plants, and as they are a long day and temp. consistent plant. If you can sustain the necessary circa 68 degree warmth to the roots by either growing in moveable containers, or in greenhouse conditions, the pods will not mature.

They need lots of direct sun and be protected from the drying winds.

Water only when they begin to dry.
Try them , it can be done.