Peanuts are not actually nuts, they are a vegetable that belongs to the legume family. Learn how to grow peanuts in your garden and enjoy the benefits of this hassle free, delicious crop.
Peanuts are native to South America and take about 120 days tomature. The plant is hardy and can withstand light spring and fall frosts. Although peanut plants are normally considered to be Southern crops, Northern gardeners can grow them successfully if they start the plants indoors, and use certain varieties that can withstand cooler climates.
Planting
Peanuts require full sun and soil with good drainage. You can ensure enough drainage by working in organic matter in order to make it loose and friable.
Peanut seeds can be planted hulled or unhulled but be sure not to remove the thin, pinkish brown seed coverings, otherwise the seed will not germinate.
If you live in a cooler climate, start your peanut plant indoors in a large pot about a month before the last frost. Seeds should be sowed on inch deep and placed in the sunniest spot possible. Be sure to water weekly. You can transplant your peanut seedlings into your outside garden once the soil is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplants should be spaced 10 inches apart.
If you live in a warmer climate, plant your crop outdoors around the last expected frost. Space your seeds 2 inches deep and 5 inches apart in rows that are 2 to 3 feet apart. Be sure to water well and thin the plants to 10 inches apart.
Growing
Once it is about 1 foot tall, long, pointed pegs will grow from faded flowers and push 1 to 3 inches into the soil. This is where you will find the peanut. The soil around the plant should be soft enough so that the pegs growing from the plant do not have too much difficulty penetrating the soil. You can help your plant by laying down some light mulch, like grass clippings or straw to prevent the hardening of soil.
1 inch of water a week is perfect for a peanut plant. Since it is a legume, it can supply its own nitrogen. The use of nitrogen-rich fertilizer will encourage foliage instead of fruit, so try to avoid the use of any fertilizer that may contain a lot of nitrogen. Soil that is well-prepared will provide all the nutrients the plants need.
Harvesting
Once the leaves turn yellow and the peanuts’ inner shells have gold looking veins, your crop is ready to harvest. You can check the peanuts periodically by pulling out a few nuts and shelling them. The pegs will become very brittle and the pods will break off if you wait too long to harvest. To harvest, pull the entire plant our of the ground while the soil is moist. Dry the plant in an airy space until the leaves become crumbly. Once the plant is dried, remove the pods. Unshelled peanuts can be stored for up to a year if they are stored in an airtight container.
At this point, everyone has heard talk of high-protein diets. But what do you really know about protein? You know you can get it from meats and beans — but if that’s all you know about protein, then you have a lot to learn.
First thing's first: What the recommended daily serving is for men, women and children? According to WebMD.com, serving sizes are different depending on your sex and age. Teenage boys and active men need three daily servings (7 ounces total), while women, children ages 2 to 6 and the elderly need two servings (5 ounces total), WebMD.com says. Older children, teenage girls, active women and men who aren’t as active need 6 total ounces, or two servings.
But What, Exactly, is Protein?
Anne Mauney, MPH, RD, a blogger at Fannetastic Food, explains: “Protein is a macronutrient that is a vital structural plus working substance in all cells. Protein is made up of building blocks called amino acids, which all have the same basic structure. There are nine essential amino acids — essential means that the body can't make them itself so we must get them through food.
“Protein is necessary in body growth, repair and replacement of damaged tissue,” Mauney continues. “It can also facilitate or regulate body reactions (as an enzyme); is a major structural component of all cells and the building blocks of muscle, skin, blood, bones, teeth, ligaments and tendons; and can act as hormones, transporters or antibodies as well.”
So why does everyone talk about eating protein in order to maintain weight or aid in weight loss? Mauney says it’s all about satiety. “Protein is the most satiating macronutrient,” she adds, “which means that eating protein helps send signals to your body that you are getting full.”
Straight to the Source
According to the CDC, there are many sources of protein: animal-based foods, such as red meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs and cheese; legumes; tofu; nuts; and seeds. But what are the best forms of protein to eat?
“Protein from animal sources is higher quality because it contains all of the essential amino acids," Mauney says. "Vegetarian protein is an incomplete protein, as it does not contain all the essential amino acids, but simply pairing foods together that have complementary proteins (e.g., rice and beans) is a great way for vegetarians to get all the essential amino acids.”
Bonus tip: “You don't have to have all the essential amino acids in one sitting, either — having those complementary proteins at different times of the day is also fine,” according to Mauney.
Everything in Moderation
While high-protein or so-called low-carb diets are very popular, when trying to lose weight, Mauney prescribes to the “everything in moderation” school of thought. “If you are lacking protein, it's certainly important to add some in, but limiting carbs more often than not just leads to disordered relationships with food and a lot of guilt around mealtime, which can lead to restrict/binge cycles,” she says. “Don't be scared of carbs!”
Additionally, Mauney recommends eating protein throughout the day. “Whether you want to lose weight or just maintain weight, I'd always recommend having some form of protein at each meal of the day, and at snack time, too. Adding some protein to breakfast in particular is a great way to feel more satisfied through the day/morning.”
