where to get peanut seeds for planting

Where to Get Peanut Seeds for Planting – Your Complete Guide

Peanuts are a fun and tasty crop to grow in the garden. With their pretty yellow flowers and peculiar growth habit, they offer something different. And of course, harvesting fresh peanuts right from your own yard is incredibly rewarding. But before you can embark on your peanut growing adventure, the first step is getting your hands on some seeds. This guide will overview all the options and top sources for obtaining high quality peanut seeds suited for home planting.

Types of Peanut SeedsThere are a few main types of peanutsseeds available

Raw In-Shell Seeds – The most common form these are unshelled peanuts sold specifically for planting purposes. Their seed coats help them retain viability. Choose plump undamaged pods.

Shelled Seeds – Some sellers offer seeds with the shells removed. These lose viability quicker but are very convenient Look for intact inner skins with no nicks or tears

Organic vs Conventional – Organic seeds are grown without synthetic chemicals. Though not always easy to find, they are the best choice for organic growers.

Heirloom/Heritage – These old-fashioned peanut varieties offer diversity. Highly recommended for seed saving gardeners.

Treated vs Untreated – Some seeds receive a fungicide coating while others are sold untreated. Either will work fine for home growing.

Where to Buy Peanut Seeds
When searching where to find peanut seeds, you have plenty of options:

Online Seed Companies – A wide selection of peanut seed can be found online. Reputable companies ship fresh seeds right to your door.

Local Garden Stores – Many independent garden centers and nurseries carry seeds in stock during spring. Support local business.

Farm Supply Stores – Peanut seeds are sometimes sold at farm supply and feed stores, especially in the South.

Hardware Stores – Big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s often stock a small seed rack with basic varieties.

Grower’s Co-ops – Joining a local co-op gives you access to seeds sold in bulk by regional farmers.

Seed Swaps – Attend a seed swap or trade seeds with other gardeners to get exciting heirloom peanuts.

Dried Raw Peanuts – Grocery store peanuts can be planted in a pinch but have unknown germination rates.

Order Early
The best peanut seeds sell out every year. To ensure you get the variety you want, order early in the year, at least 6-8 weeks before your projected planting date. Popular picks like Virginia and Spanish types go fast.

Tips for Mail Ordering Seeds
When buying seeds online and through mail order, here are some useful tips:

• Look for fast shipping times, 1-3 days being optimal

• Select US-grown seeds when possible to avoid customs delays

• Check company reviews and germination guarantees

• Avoid ordering in mid-late spring when seeds are backordered

• Request fresh packaging – foil packets maintain viability

• Pay a little extra for tracking and insurance on larger orders

Top Seed Companies
Here are some of the best online companies with excellent reputations for selling quality peanut seeds:

Johnny’s Selected Seeds – This employee-owned company offers chosen peanut varieties for flavor and performance.

Burpee – A household name in seeds, Burpee has a great selection including growing kits.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds – Unique heirlooms and always quick shipping times.

Seed Savers Exchange – You’ll find rare, exotic peanuts from passionate seed saving members.

Evergreen Seeds – A small family company selling organic, non-GMO peanut seeds.

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange – Offers Southern-adapted varieties ideal for warmer regions.

Park Seed – A venerable company with a nice choice of early and late maturing peanuts.

Outsidepride – Sells seeds in bulk for larger plantings, including 25 lb bags of peanuts.

You can’t go wrong ordering from any of these top seed sellers. Do some comparison shopping and read variety descriptions and reviews. This will ensure you find the perfect peanut seeds for planting in your garden.

How Many Seeds to Buy
A little goes a long way with peanuts. Here is a rough estimate of how many seeds you need:

• 10-20 plants – 1/4 lb of seeds

• 50 plants – 1 lb of seeds

• 150-200 plants – 5 lbs of seeds

• 1 acre – 50-80 lbs of seeds

To start out, a quarter pound of seeds is plenty for most home gardeners. Peanuts spread 18+ inches, so don’t crowd them. Remember they are prone to rotting if planted in cool, wet soil. Start conservatively and plant more if you have room.

Storing Peanut Seeds
Once you acquire seeds, proper storage is key for viability:

• Place seeds in a sealed jar/envelope in the refrigerator.

• Maintain a storage temperature of 40-50° F for longest life.

• In hot climates, consider a freezer or cool basement for storage.

• Check seeds periodically and discard any with visible mold.

• Always use fresh seeds each planting season. Peanuts are an annual.

With the right care, most peanut seeds remain usable for 1-2 years before germination rates decline. Always start with fresh seeds for your garden every season for best results.

How to Pre-Treat Seeds
Some pre-treatment of raw in-shell seeds improves germination:

• Gently soak seeds in room temperature water for 1-3 days before planting.

• Mix seeds with inoculant powder to introduce helpful bacteria that aid nutrient uptake.

• Carefully crack shells before sowing to allow moisture to penetrate but avoid damaging the inner seed tissue.

• Optionally scarify shells with sandpaper or a file for quicker water absorption.

Take care when prepping seeds to not tear the papery inner seed coat. This fragile layer protects the embryo inside. With extra care, pre-treatment accelerate emergence after planting.

The Joy of Growing Peanuts
Homegrown peanuts are fun to cultivate and make a great project for kids. With so many sources available, obtaining seeds is the easy first step. Do some planning beforehand and order your seeds early. Select varieties suited for your growing zone. Then with proper planting and care, you’ll be harvesting bushels of delicious fresh peanuts this season!

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