Guidelines for growing peanuts outdoors in Siberia

The fruits of this South American legume are a favorite treat for both adults and children. Gardeners consider peanuts exotic, unsuited to growing in Siberia's harsh conditions. While the crop is indeed heat-loving, it's not fussy. With some effort and diligence, growing peanuts outdoors is possible in Siberia. You're unlikely to get many, but it's worth a try.

Climate map of the region

Since the climate difference between Siberia and the southern regions of the country is significant, growing peanuts in the northern regions has its own peculiarities:

1. Southern Siberia and the Urals. Growing here is straightforward. In the fall, the plot is prepared and fertilized. In mid-spring, plastic covers are placed over the beds to help the soil warm up faster. Planting occurs in May, after which the beds are covered again with plastic. The plastic cover is removed once the soil becomes consistently warm. The first hilling is done during the flowering period, and then repeated until the end of August.
2. Central Siberia. The agricultural principles are similar, but planting is done only in warm beds. A long hole is dug in the plot, compost is added, and mixed with the topsoil. The decomposing organic matter in the soil generates heat. Planting is done in the spring, and the soil is covered with plastic film until the first leaves emerge.
3. Northern Siberia. Cultivation is only possible in a greenhouse. The crop does not require much space, so it can be planted between beds with other plants.

Which varieties are suitable for the Urals and Siberia?

Peanuts come in bush and creeping varieties. In Siberian conditions, it's best to grow bush varieties, which develop ovaries that sink into the soil after flowering. These ovaries then develop into fruit. Siberian gardeners also recommend early varieties that produce fruit within three months.

From early ripening varieties of peanuts The most popular in Siberia are:

• Adyghe;
• Steppe dweller;
• Acorn;
• Klinsky.

You can also use mid-season varieties, but in this case, they need to be germinated before planting.

Planting and growing peanuts in a garden plot

Growing peanuts in Siberia is problematic because the crop is heat-loving, and achieving fruiting in an unfavorable climate is difficult.

To get a peanut harvest, you need to follow the rules for preparing the site and planting material, and adhere to the planting deadlines.

Selecting and preparing a site

Peanuts are not picky about soil. Moreover, the legume releases nitrogen during development, so it is planted to enrich depleted soil.

The optimal soil for peanuts is humus-rich and mineral-rich soil. If the soil is clayey, add sand and mineral fertilizer; if it's sandy, add clay and organic matter. Salty and acidic soil is unacceptable for legumes. The soil should be neutral. Otherwise, add lime.

The plot is prepared in the fall. It is dug up and enriched with compost and a mineral complex (potassium and phosphorus). In the spring, nitrogen and ash are added. Care should be taken with the dosage of the latter: 1 m² 100 grams of ash are taken from the soil.

Preparing planting material

To grow peanuts you can take:

• raw seed material;
• ready sprouts.

Both types of planting material can be purchased at a specialty store. If you have your own raw nuts, you can use them, but the germination rate may be low.

Buyers purchasing sprouts should carefully inspect the leaves. They should appear healthy, free of damage and signs of disease. The stems should be strong, intact, and free of unnatural bends. If nuts are purchased for planting, the shells should be carefully removed. Seeds should not be cracked, rotted, or moldy. Select the largest specimens.

If the seeds have germinated well and you have a good harvest, you can save some of your own planting material for the next season.

Algorithm for preparing peanuts for planting:

1. Selected seeds are immersed in a container of warm water for 5 hours. It is advisable to add a growth stimulant and a small amount of potassium permanganate to protect against infection.
2. The seeds are taken out.
3. Place a damp cotton cloth in a wide container.
4. Place peanuts on top in one layer.
5. It is covered with a second piece of damp natural fabric.

After three days, sprouts should appear. Discard any seeds that don't sprout. Sprouted seeds are ready for planting outdoors.

Timing and technology of planting operations

Peanuts can be planted when the soil in an open area warms up to 15°C. In Siberia, these temperatures are typically reached in early June. If the temperature is lower, planting is not recommended, as seedlings will not emerge.

Young plants can be expected to emerge within 1.5 to 2 weeks. If using seedlings, transplant them to the open ground 20 days after sprouting.

Step-by-step description of the landing procedure:

• on the prepared area, make beds (width between rows is 60-70 cm);
• seedlings are planted at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other;
• planted peanuts are watered with lukewarm water;
• If seeds were planted, the beds are covered with film until the sprouts appear.

During the day, the film is removed for half an hour each day. This allows the peanuts to adapt to the climate.

What crops should be planted nearby?

Peanuts' best companions are tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, and potatoes. The nitrogen released by legumes is essential for these plants, and they, in turn, do not interfere with the peanuts' growth.

It's important to follow crop rotation rules. Avoid planting peanuts in areas where other legumes were grown last season. Otherwise, there's a high risk of root rot.

How to care for peanuts to get a good harvest?

Peanuts are easy to grow, even in Siberian conditions. However, certain care guidelines are still necessary.

Regularity of watering

Peanuts are watered 6-8 times per season. A large bucket of water is poured under each plant. In Siberian conditions, only settled, lukewarm water is acceptable. Watering should be stopped a month before harvesting.

Siberia also experiences hot summers. During prolonged hot spells, it's advisable to water more frequently, every two weeks.

Do I need to fertilize the plant?

Peanuts are fed twice per season:

• after the plants reach a height of 10 cm;
• at the beginning of fruit formation.

In both cases, the same fertilizer is used: 20 g of ammonium nitrate, 45 g of potassium salt, and 70 g of superphosphate are dissolved in a 10-liter bucket of water. Up to 1 liter of the solution is poured per plant. Fertilizing is carried out in the evening.

Hilling and weed removal

Hilling is a mandatory procedure when growing peanuts, performed every time after watering or rainfall. Every 3-4 days, the beds are checked and weeds are removed. The soil must be loosened, as peanuts need air for proper fruit development.

Diseases and pests of crops: treatment and prevention

Peanuts have a fairly strong immune system. However, there are pests and diseases that can affect the plant in Siberian conditions.

Commonly observed infectious diseases:

1. Powdery mildew. Leaves become covered with a white coating, dry out, and fruit development stops. Damaged plants are discarded, and undamaged ones are treated with a fungicide.
2. Gray mold. Dark spots appear on the leaves, fruit does not appear, and development stops at the ovary stage. Diseased plants are discarded, and healthy ones are treated with a fungicide.
3. Fusarium wilt is characterized by wilting of foliage and root rot. There is no cure, so it's important to remove diseased plants promptly to prevent the spread of infection.
4. Black rot. Black-purple, slowly growing spots are visible on the foliage, and plant growth is stunted. Damaged shoots are pruned, and the remaining parts are treated with a fungicide.

Of the insect pests living in Siberia, peanuts are attacked by:

1. Aphids. They don't affect fruit development, but they damage the green parts, causing the foliage to dry out and fall off. Insecticides are used for control.
2. Click beetle. This beetle poses a serious threat to peanuts. It lives and reproduces in the soil, easily chewing through peanut shells and penetrating the fruit. The result is the death of the plant. To protect the crop from this pest, you can dig traps with beets or carrots, cover them, and then destroy the trapped insects.

To prevent infectious diseases and insect attacks, peanuts are sprayed with a fungicide and insecticide 20 days after planting in open ground.

Harvesting and drying fruits

In Siberia, the harvest is done in early autumn, after the above-ground parts have dried out. Ripe fruits have nuts that are not attached to the shell. Harvesting must be completed before frost, otherwise the fruit will spoil.

The peanuts are dug up and rolled into stacks. They are left to dry for several days. The pods are then pulled from the stems and dried without opening them. A well-ventilated area is chosen for drying, where there is a low risk of rot and mold. The drying temperature is 40°C. The peanuts are ready when the shells crack slightly.

Dried peanuts are placed in cloth bags and stored until the next season at a temperature of about 10 °C.

Growing peanuts in Siberia and the Urals is not difficult. The main thing is to follow proper agricultural practices, regulate watering, apply fertilizer promptly, and protect the crop from insects and infections.