Legumes - The Manual of Seed Saving - page 152

below ground to finish ripening. Four groups of cultivars are typically grown: runner (peanut butter),
Spanish (peanut butter, salted nuts), Valencia (large), and Virginia (shell peanuts).
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• 10 healthy plants
POLLINATION NOTES Peanuts are selfers, but their flowers attract bees and other insects, which can
lead to cross-pollination rates of 30% or more between varieties.
GROWING FOR SEED Isolate multiple varieties by 500 ft. (150 m) in gardens with plenty of distrac-
tions for insects, up to a mile (1600 m) or more in less ideal conditions. Or isolate mechanically by
growing in cages. Peanuts are usually direct seeded, but if starting indoors, do not start too early, as
plants grow quickly. Whether direct sowing or planting out seedlings, wait until the soil is fully warm.
Peanuts need lots of heat, and pods do not ripen until at least 120 days (up to 150 days) after planting.
HARVEST Harvest entire plants when they have dried and turned yellow. Dry for an additional two to
three weeks indoors in a place with good air circulation, then strip pods from vines. Peanuts should be
fully dry before going into storage.
The pod at the end of this peanut stalk is now ripening below ground.
COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/H. ZELL
SELECTION CHARACTERISTICS
• resistance to disease
• true-to-type shape of peanuts, pods, and pattern on pods
• size of peanuts
• yield
• number of peanuts per pod