When To Plant Peanuts In Texas

If you’re planning to grow peanuts in Texas, timing is everything for a successful harvest. Knowing exactly when to plant peanuts in Texas is the first and most crucial step for any gardener.

Planting at the right time ensures your peanuts have a long, warm growing season to develop those tasty pods underground. Get it wrong, and you risk stunted plants or a lost crop to frost. This guide will walk you through the optimal spring schedule for your specific region of Texas.

The short answer is late April through mid-June. However, Texas is a huge state with multiple climate zones. Your ideal planting window depends heavily on where you live and the current spring weather.

Peanuts need warm soil and no threat of frost. They thrive in heat. The goal is to plant so that the most critical growth phases happen during the hottest part of the summer.

Texas Planting Zones and Dates

Let’s break it down by region. These dates are your best starting point.

South Texas (Zones 9-10): This region has the longest growing season. You can start planting as early as late April. The soil warms up quickly here, giving peanuts a great head start.
Central Texas (Zones 8a-8b): Aim for early to mid-May. Wait until the soil is consistently warm. A late cold snap can still occure in early April, so patience is key.
North Texas & Panhandle (Zones 6b-7b): Here, you should plant from mid-May to early June. Frost danger persists longer, so don’t rush. Mid-June is often the absolute latest to ensure enough growing days.

No matter your zone, always use a soil thermometer. The magic number is 65°F (18°C) at a 4-inch depth for at least three consecutive mornings. If the soil is too cold, seeds will rot or germinate poorly.

Why Spring Planting Time is Critical

Peanuts have a long maturation period, typically 120 to 160 days depending on the variety. Planting in the optimal window gives them this full timeline.

Here’s what happens if you plant too early or too late:

Too Early (Cold Soil): Seeds fail to germinate. Seedlings emerge weak and are susceptible to disease. A late frost will kill young plants.
Too Late (Summer Heat): Plants may not have enough time to fully mature before the first fall frost. The pegging process (when stems push into the soil) needs to happen before the peak summer heat stresses the plant.
Just Right: Plants establish strong roots in warm soil, grow vigorously through summer, and peg during ideal conditions for a full pod set.

Choosing the Right Peanut Variety for Texas

Selecting a variety suited to your region and the Texas heat is half the battle. Here are the main types and where they excel.

Runner Types: Excellent for Texas. They have a spreading growth habit and are commonly used for peanut butter. ‘Georgia-06G’ and ‘Tamrun OL11’ are great, disease-resistant choices.
Virginia Types: Produce large pods and are good for boiling or roasting. They need a slightly longer season, so they’re best for South and Central Texas. Try ‘Gregory’ or ‘CHAMPS’.
Spanish Types: Smaller, round nuts with a high oil content. They have the shortest growing season (about 120 days), making them perfect for North Texas where the season is a bit shorter. ‘Pronto’ and ‘Spanco’ are reliable.

Always buy raw, uncooked, in-shell peanuts meant for planting from a garden center or seed supplier. Do not use grocery store peanuts, as they are often treated or roasted and will not sprout.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once your soil is warm and your seeds are ready, follow these steps.

Prepare the Soil: Peanuts need loose, well-draining soil. Sandy loam is perfect. Work the soil 8-10 inches deep. Remove all rocks and debris that could obstruct pod development.
Add Amendments: Mix in 2-3 inches of compost. Peanuts fix their own nitrogen, so avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote leafy growth instead of pods. A light application of gypsum (calcium sulfate) at planting helps pod development, especially in sandy soils.
Plant the Seeds: Shell the peanuts carefully, leaving the thin brown skin on the kernel intact. Plant kernels 1.5 to 2 inches deep. Space them 6-8 inches apart in rows that are 24-36 inches apart.
Water Gently: Water the bed thoroughly after planting to settle the soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy until seedlings emerge, which usually takes 7-14 days.

Caring for Your Peanut Plants

Consistent care through the season leads to a heavy harvest.

Watering: Provide 1-2 inches of water per week. The critical period is during flowering and pegging (about 50-110 days after planting). Don’t let the soil dry out completely, but reduce watering as pods mature near harvest.
Weeding: Keep the area weed-free, especially early on. Hand-pull weeds carefully to avoid disturbing the shallow roots. A light mulch of straw can help.
Hilling Up: When plants are about 12 inches tall, gently mound loose soil around the base. This makes it easier for the pegs (flower stems) to reach the soil and form peanuts.

Common Problems and Solutions in Texas

Texas gardeners face a few specific challenges.

Hot, Dry Weather: Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture. Drip irrigation is ideal for delivering water directly to the roots without wetting the leaves, which can cause disease.

Soil Crusting: After heavy rain, soil can form a hard crust that prevents pegs from penetrating. A loose mulch and maintaining organic matter in your soil prevents this.

Pests: Watch for armyworms and leafhoppers. Aphids can also be a issue. Encourage beneficial insects and use insecticidal soap if needed. Deer and rodents love peanuts; fencing may be necessary.

Diseases: Leaf spot fungus is common in humid conditions. Rotate your peanut crop each year (don’t plant in the same spot for 3-4 years) and choose resistant varieties to minimize problems.

Harvesting Your Texas Peanuts

Knowing when to harvest is as important as knowing when to plant. Most peanuts are ready 120-160 days after planting.

Signs of maturity include yellowing leaves and a fully filled pod shell. Dig up a test plant. The pods should have a veined, dark interior and the kernels should fill the shell. If they’re ready, use a garden fork to gently lift the entire plant. Shake off excess soil and let the plants cure (dry) in a warm, airy place for 2-3 weeks before removing the pods.

FAQ: Planting Peanuts in Texas

Can I plant peanuts from the store?
No. Most grocery store peanuts are roasted, cooked, or treated for storage. They will not germinate. Always buy certified seed peanuts from a garden supplier.

What is the latest I can plant peanuts?
In most of Texas, mid-June is the absolute cutoff for planting. After that, the plants likely won’t mature before the first fall frost, especially in northern areas.

Do peanuts need full sun?
Yes. Peanuts require at least 6-8 hours of direct, full sun every day for optimal growth and pod production.

How do I know my soil is warm enough?
Use a soil thermometer. Check at a 4-inch depth in the morning for several days in a row. It must be consistently at or above 65°F. Air temperature is not a reliable indicator.

Can I grow peanuts in a container?
Yes, choose a large container (at least 12-18 inches deep and wide) with excellent drainage. Use a light potting mix and be vigilant about watering, as containers dry out faster. A bush-type variety is best.

By following this regional timing guide and providing simple care, you can enjoy the unique satisfaction of harvesting your own homegrown peanuts right from your Texas garden. The key is waiting for that warm soil and giving your plants the long, sunny season they love.