Field guide
How to grow peanuts: planting, care, and harvest guide
Peanuts typically reaches first harvest in 120–150 days. This guide covers when to plant by USDA zone, common pests, harvest cues, and companion plants where relevant.
Open plannerWhen to plant peanuts by USDA zone group
- USDA Zones 1–4 — May
- USDA Zones 5–6 — May to June
- USDA Zones 7–8 — April to June
- USDA Zones 9–10 — March to June
- USDA Zones 11–13 — February to July
Companion plants
Good companions: Carrots, Sweet Corn, Cucumbers
Avoid planting with: Onions, Garlic
Harvest
When to pick
- Pods are filled but still tender for fresh eating
- Dry beans rattle in fully brown pods
How: Pick fresh pods frequently or pull dry pods before wet weather.
Storage: Refrigerate fresh pods. Dry shell beans completely before sealed storage.
Common pests and problems
Bean beetles and aphids
Signs: Skeletonized leaves, chewed pods, or sticky new growth
Control: Hand-pick early infestations, rotate beds, and use insect netting before flowering.
About this field guide
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