Monday, June 13, 2011

Growing Peanuts in a Container


Every year I try to grow something new in the vegetable garden. Historically, I've not been a big fan of raw vegetables when it comes to eating them, but I'm getting better about it. A few years ago, I started eating cucumbers because I figured that anything that smelled that good had to taste pretty good, too. I prefer them with dill or ranch dip, but virgin cukes aren't bad either, I've decided.

There are still raw veggies that I don't eat - broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, carrots, tomatoes - but I'll grow some of them because I'm not the only person who lives (and eats) here. I'll grow things just because they're interesting or look pretty, too.

This year, I'm growing peanuts! I don't like peanuts, although I do like peanut butter. (If you haven't figured it out already, I'm a picky eater.) But when I saw peanut plants for sale at Petitti's in Avon Lake, OH, recently, I had to buy some and try growing my own. I've never seen peanuts growing anywhere, so this is all new to me.

I planted them in a pot a few weeks ago and though they were doing fine, I had to move them. Why? Because I hadn't done my homework to see just how to grow peanuts. They grow in a really interesting way. They're a legume, like peas, and when they bloom, they'll have pea-like blossoms on them. Then they'll form "pegs" which will drop down to the soil and dig in. These will become the peanuts, underground.

The first container was too small.


This pegging business means they need more room than my original container could provide for the process. So today I put them in a very large clay pot that had the bottom broken out and sat it in the veggie garden where it could get full sun. The container is still too small, but I'm going to keep a close watch and help direct the pegs into the soil around the plants.

The second container is a bit small too, but larger than the first one.


I'm also growing kohlrabi! My mom says I did try it when I was a freshman in high school when my boyfriend at the time brought some to me from his family's garden. I don't recall that, so kohlrabi must not have impressed me much.

What a difference a few years can make to your tastebuds! Diana, a co-worker, brought some kohlrabi in to work last week and I tried it. I liked it! The texture reminded me a bit of water chestnuts, and the flavor, though unique, gave a bit of a hint of the white part of a hard-boiled egg. Another co-worker said she could taste that, too.

Anyway, I wanted to grow some myself, so I bought some seeds this past weekend and those got planted today. I know that these are more of a cool-season crop, but better late than never, right? If my current planting doesn't do well, I may try again for a fall planting.

I'm growing leeks for the first time, too. Are you growing something new or unusual this year in your vegetable garden?



15 comments:

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

You know, you may be a "super taster" like I am. That's someone with more taste-buds than normal on their tongue. I can't eat a lot of raw veggies for that reason because I can taste nuances that others can't. I do love peanuts so I'm hoping you post updates to your peanut growing adventure so I can learn from you. :-)

Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

Kylee Baumle said...

Hi, Cindy! Could be. I know I'm a "super sniffer!" I can smell things that other people can't, and I'm pretty good at identifying the smell, too. And since smelling is tied into tasting...

I'm very much a texture person, too. Certain textures can turn me off and I can't eat certain things because I can't get past the texture. Same with the temperature of the food. Isn't it interesting how we perceive things?

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I will be curious to know if your peanuts develop. I have heard that they need a long growing season to develop peanuts. The birds, squirrels etc plant peanuts that we feed them all around the garden. It is always a surprise to find a peanut plant growing up a storm in various places in the garden. I have never found peanuts on them. I usually just pull them out.

Kylee Baumle said...

Hi Lisa! Yes, I read that, too. I'm hoping that because I bought these as plants that they had enough of a head start that they'll develop peanuts. If not, there's always the greenhouse. for extending the season. That is too funny that you find peanuts growing from the birds and squirrels!

Commonweeder said...

I wish I could grow peanuts. I used to be able to buy raw peanuts, but no more. Raw peanuts make the best GORP - Good Old Raisins and Peanuts.

Darla said...

You are missing out on a lot of good food! Curious to follow your peanuts...my uncle grew them by the acres...

Alan Moore said...

Growing peanuts - I'd never have thought of that. How strange!
I've been growing veggies for years and like trying new varieties, but it never crossed my mind that you could grow peanuts (I know, I feel a little dumb!).

Wonder if they'll grow here in the UK?

Alan

Nell Jean said...

Would you like me to go out in a field and make some pics? Peanuts were planted late here this year and are not very big yet, just little green ribbons across the field. Down the road a ways they are alread about to 'meet in the middles' of the rows.

Click on my name to see some of my peanuts posts.

Steve Asbell said...

I wish that I could find some peanuts for sale around here too! They'd be great alongside my Thai chilies, Thai basil, lemongrass and gingers. Notice a theme? My wife's coworker gave us some little warty cucumbers that I'm almost positive are the kind you use for pickling, but apparently the coworker gave no mention of their usage. I just might give it a shot though!

Malay-Kadazan girl said...

We are also growing kohlrabi for the first time this winter and we never even tasted one yet! Other new vegetables growing this winter are florence fennel, beetroot, swiss chard and kale. I feel inspired to have a go on planting peanuts next warm season. Never saw peanut seedlings sold in nursery in our region.

Ali said...

Hi! I just found your blog when I was looking for info about growing peanuts. I live in Ohio too and was wondering how it worked out for you. I am enjoying your blog very much!

Kylee Baumle said...

Ali ~ Thank you! It worked out very well, much to my surprise!

Oh Me, Of Little Faith

Ali said...

Awesome! Thanks for linking to your follow up post about it, I tried to find it on my own, but couldn't (toddlers running around = not much time to explore lol!) I am excited to try growing peanuts this year! =D

Sarah said...

My husband and I are just getting into gardening, and he really wants to try some peanuts. This is the most helpful article I've found! Thanks for sharing!

Kylee Baumle said...

Raising Isabella ~ It really wasn't difficult at all! Good luck with your gardening and your peanuts! :-)

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