How to grow peanuts: a commercial guide

Choose a well-drained, sandy field

Soil

Peanuts do best on well-drained sandy loams that are loose and easy to till, with a moderately deep rooting zone. NC Extension notes that most production has moved onto sandy soils.¹

pH and liming

NC limes to an average field pH of 6.2 so that no part of the field falls below 5.8, and uses dolomitic limestone for calcium and magnesium. UF/IFAS targets pH 6.2–6.5 and limes below 5.8. High-pH, over-limed fields risk manganese deficiency and more Sclerotinia blight.^1,2

Rotation

Rotation matters more for peanuts than for corn, cotton, soybeans or wheat. UF/IFAS requires two years of non-legume cash crops before replanting, and NC found about 6% more yield for each extra year of cotton separating soybeans from peanuts.^1,2

Plant into warm soil at the right stand

Soil temperature

Do not plant until soil at 10 cm (4 inches) is 18°C (65°F) or higher at noon for three days, with good weather forecast for the next 72 hours. UF/IFAS gives 18–24°C (64–75°F) as ideal and above 20°C (68°F) for rapid germination.^1,2

Date

Mid-May is the strongest window: UF/IFAS gives May 10–25, with planting possible into the first week of June and losses after that. NC finds yields often highest when planted in mid-May.^1,2

Stand

NC aims for at least 13.1 plants per m (4 plants per foot) of row regardless of variety, which means setting the planter for 16.4 seed per m (5 seed per foot). UF/IFAS recommends 19.7 seed per m (6 seed per foot), roughly 145–170 kg of seed/ha (130–150 lb of seed per acre) depending on the variety.^1,2

Rows

Single rows are 76–91 cm (30–36 inches) apart. Twin rows put two rows 18–23 cm (7–9 inches) apart on 76–91 cm (30–36 inch) centres and reduce tomato spotted wilt symptoms in the Southeast, but NC found no yield advantage to twin rows.^1,2

Put calcium in the pegging zone

Why gypsum

Calcium moves up the plant, not down to the pods, so the peg and pod must absorb it straight from the soil. Adequate calcium for growth is not enough for pod development, and shortages show up as empty "pops" and poor seed quality.¹

When

Apply at early bloom, about 60 days after planting in Florida, or late June to early July in NC. Do not broadcast before land preparation or planting, because rain can leach it. More than 100 days after planting is too late.^1,2

How much

NC applies gypsum to all Virginia types regardless of soil test: about 670 kg/ha (600 lb per acre) of 85% product in a 41–46 cm (16–18 inch) band, or about 1,350 kg/ha (1,200 lb/acre) broadcast. UF/IFAS gives about 225 kg/ha (200 lb/acre) elemental calcium for runner and Spanish types and about 450 kg/ha (400 lb/acre) for Virginia types.^1,2

Do not stack it on low pH

NC trials found high gypsum rates can cut yield when pH in the pegging zone is low, and that raising pH from 5.6 to 6.0 added 6% yield. Fix pH first.¹

Time leaf spot and white mold sprays

Leaf spot

In Florida, start fungicide 30 days after emergence on late plantings, or 30–45 days after planting on early plantings, and repeat every 10–14 days.²

White mold

The critical applications fall at roughly 60 and 90 days after planting.²

Tomato spotted wilt virus

Risk falls with a stand of at least 13.1 plants per m (4 plants per foot), later planting and resistant varieties; NC also links later plantings to less thrips damage.^1,2

Dig at maturity and dry

Maturity

Runner peanuts need 135–155 days after planting and Virginia types in NC up to about 160 days, depending on moisture and temperature. Cool fall nights can stop late plantings reaching optimum maturity.^1,2

Drying

Field-dry for 3–5 days to about 10% moisture, and store below 10%.²

Yield and economics

US peanut production in 2025 was 3.26 million t (7.18 billion lb) from 789,000 ha planted and 773,000 ha harvested (1.95 and 1.91 million acres), a record, with an average yield of 4,220 kg/ha (3,767 lb per acre). Georgia alone harvested 370,300 ha (915,000 acres) at 4,540 kg/ha (4,050 lb/acre).

Read the chart carefully

High-yield states have far less area than Georgia, Texas, Alabama and Florida. NC notes only 15% of its acreage is irrigated, so weather swings yield. Put your own numbers into the crop ROI estimator before choosing acreage.^1,3

Frequently asked questions

When do you plant peanuts?

Once soil at 10 cm (4 inches) is 18°C (65°F) or warmer at noon for three days. Mid-May is the strongest window in North Carolina and Florida, with planting possible into the first week of June.

How long do peanuts take to grow?

Runner peanuts need 135–155 days after planting; Virginia types in North Carolina can need up to about 160 days.

How deep and how far apart do you plant peanuts?

Plant 4–7.5 cm (1.5–3 inches) deep in rows 76–91 cm (30–36 inches) apart, setting the planter for 16.4–19.7 seed per m (5–6 seed per foot) of row to get at least 13.1 plants per m (4 plants per foot).

Do peanuts need gypsum?

Yes for pod calcium. Apply at early bloom, about 60 days after planting, not before planting. NC applies it to all Virginia types regardless of soil test.

What soil pH do peanuts need?

NC limes to an average of 6.2 so no part of the field falls below 5.8; UF/IFAS targets 6.2–6.5 and limes below 5.8.

How often can you plant peanuts in the same field?

UF/IFAS requires two years of non-legume crops between peanuts, and NC trials show yield rising with longer breaks, including after soybeans.