Did you know that the average American eats 6 pounds (almost 3 kg.) of peanut products per year! There are actually four types of peanut: Valencia, Spanish, Runners, and Virginia. Of these, many peanut aficionados claim that Valencia peanuts are the best to eat raw or boiled. If you are only familiar with peanuts in the form of peanut butter or ballpark snack, you may be wondering what are Valencia peanuts? Read on to find out how to grow Valencia peanuts and other info on Valencia peanut varieties.
What are Valencia Peanuts?
Valencia peanuts have three to six small red-skinned seeds per shell, each with a sweet flavor. Valencia peanuts are found growing for commercial use in New Mexico and account for less than 1% of the United States production of peanuts. Their sweet flavors make them a favorite for boiled nuts and are also often used for all-natural peanut butter. When roasted, Valencias come close to achieving the crispness of Spanish peanuts.
Valencia Peanut Info
Referred to as ground nuts, monkey nuts, and goober, peanuts are natives of South America and, as such, are generally regarded as a warm climate crop. That said, wild strains of peanut (Arachis hirsuta or hairy peanut) have been found in the chilly high altitudes of the Andes Mountains. Peanuts have been cultivated for at least 3,500 years. Valencia peanuts produce smaller kernels and yield less than Virginia peanuts. Most Valencia peanut varieties mature in 90 to 110 days while Runner and Virginia types need 130 to 150 days to reach maturity. While Valencia peanuts are usually found growing in the warm region of New Mexico, they have been cultivated as far north as Ontario, Canada. The most commonly planted Valencia peanut varieties are ‘Tennessee Red’ and ‘Georgia Red.’
How to Grow Valencia Peanuts
Peanuts prefer sandy, loose, well-draining soil. Do not sow peanuts after potatoes or beans have been grown in the plot, as they are susceptible to the same diseases. Prepare a bed by tilling or digging in a couple of inches (5 cm.) of compost or rotted manure down to a depth of 8 to 12 inches (20-31 cm.). Peanuts fix their own nitrogen so do not need much in the way of fertilizer, but they do need plenty of calcium. To add calcium into the soil, amend it with gypsum. Plant the peanut seeds after the soil has warmed, about three weeks after the last frost. Soak the seeds in water overnight to stimulate germination and then plant seeds less than 2 inches (5 cm.) deep, and 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) apart. The peanut seedlings will appear about a week after sowing and will then grow slowly for a month. Don’t worry; growth is occurring but just under the soil’s surface. When you see four leaves above the soil line, the plant no doubt has about a foot (31 cm.) of taproot along with lateral roots. Peanuts do like heat, but they need regular watering. Soak the plants deeply once or twice a week. Pay special attention to consistent watering 50 to 100 days from sowing when the pods are nearing the soil’s surface. As the plants near maturity, allow the soil to dry out. While growing, Valencia peanuts don’t usually need any fertilizer if the soil has been amended prior to sowing. However, if the plants look peaky, it’s fine to give them a diluted amount of fish emulsion just after the emergence of the seedlings, and then only that one time. Peanuts are susceptible to fertilizer burn, so be judicious with fertilizer application.
-
Reese Witherspoon’s Natural DIY Wreath Beams With Festive Joy – Here’s How She Made ItBe inspired to recreate Reese Witherspoon's beautiful holiday wreath using greenery from your garden with our step-by-step guide to getting the look.
-
Growing Spotted Bee Balm: Find Out How To Grow Horsemint For Your Pollinator GardenFor anyone looking to cultivate native flowering plants that attract pollinators, spotted bee balm is a must! We show you how to grow horsemint for friendly garden visitors
-
Spanish Peanut Information: Tips On Growing Spanish Peanuts In GardensIf you've ever enjoyed peanut candies or peanut butter, then I'm sure you are familiar with their tasty potential and can't wait to get started growing Spanish peanuts in your garden. Let's get talking about Spanish peanut information and find out how to grow Spanish peanuts here.
-
Watering Peanut Plants: How And When To Water A Peanut PlantHalf the fun of raising peanut plants is watching them grow and change rapidly. But in order to achieve this feat, certain peanut water requirements must be met. So how much water does a peanut plant need? Find out in this article.
-
What Is A Virginia Peanut: Information On Planting Virginia PeanutsAmong their many common names, Virginia peanuts are called goobers, ground nuts and ground peas. Although they're not grown exclusively in Virginia, their common name gives a nod to the warm southeastern climates where they thrive. Learn about them here.
-
Indoor Peanut Growing – Learn How To Grow Peanuts IndoorsCan I grow a peanut plant indoors? This may sound like an odd question to people who live in sunny, warm climates, but for gardeners in chilly climates, the question makes perfect sense! If you want to learn how to grow peanuts indoors, click this article.
-
Runner Type Peanuts – Information About Runner Peanut PlantsPeanuts are not at the top of the list of the most common plants in the garden, but they should be. They're relatively easy to grow, and there's nothing cooler than curing and shelling your very own peanuts. Learn about runner type peanuts in this article.
-
Groundcover Peanut Varieties: Using Peanut Plants As GroundcoverIf you are tired of mowing your lawn, take heart. There is a perennial peanut plant that produces no nuts but provides a beautiful lawn alternative. The pretty little yellow flowers are edible and can be used in salads. Learn more about these plants here.
-
Types Of Peanut Plants: Learn About Different Varieties Of PeanutWant to grow peanuts? How hard can it be? After all a peanut is a peanut. But what if your search of peanut plant seeds reveals that there's more variety to peanuts than you knew? Learn about the differences between these peanut plant varieties in this article.
-
Using Peanuts To Improve Soil – What Are Benefits Of Peanuts In SoilPeanuts are legumes and, like all legumes, have the amazing ability to fix valuable nitrogen into the soil. Not only are you improving the soil with peanut planting but will end up with a tasty, nutrient rich snack for the family. Learn more here.
