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Field Crops, Grains & OilseedsPeanut Planting Calendar
Peanuts grow above ground but set their pods below it, so soil warmth, soil type and moisture all shape the plan.
Key points
- Peanuts need warm soil and a stable forecast before planting.
- NASS windows run from late April to early June across producing states.
- Use well-drained soil, a soil test and a rotation plan.
- Plan harvest timing and food safety handling from the start.
When should you plant peanuts?
Peanuts are a warm-season legume. Cold soil slows germination and increases seedling disease risk, so extension programs advise waiting until the soil has warmed and a stable forecast is in place. Look up the soil temperature guidance from your own state source and measure at seed depth for several mornings in a row.
Planting too early is a common cause of weak stands. A few days of patience often costs less than replanting, because peanut seed is expensive and a late stand has less time to make pods.
What is the usual peanut planting window?
USDA NASS lists the most active planting periods in the October 2010 edition as about May 6 to May 31 in Georgia, about April 25 to May 25 in Alabama, about May 6 to June 5 in Texas, about May 10 to May 30 in North Carolina and about April 30 to May 18 in Virginia.
Georgia is the largest producing state, and the windows tell a similar story across the Southeast and Virginia-Carolina belt: late April through May, with some southwestern states running into early June. Always compare these windows to your own soil temperature and frost dates.
- Georgia plants mostly in May
- Alabama and Virginia start in late April
- Texas runs into early June
What soil and field conditions matter?
Peanuts prefer well-drained, lighter-textured soils that allow pegs to enter the ground and pods to be lifted at harvest. Heavy, wet soil can lead to poor pod set and difficult digging. A soil test tells you about pH and calcium, which peanuts use during pod development, and your extension office can interpret the results.
Rotation is important. Planting peanuts after peanuts raises disease risk, and extension programs commonly recommend rotating with other crops. Ask your local peanut specialist how many years of rotation your fields need.
How do you plan harvest timing from the start?
Peanuts mature over time, and pods develop underground, so harvest timing is not as obvious as for grain. Extension programs teach methods to judge maturity from sampled pods. Planting date, variety and weather influence when the crop is ready, and that is why growers who plant in several blocks spread harvest over more days.
Plan equipment and labor ahead. Peanuts are typically dug, inverted to dry in the field, and then combined. Weather during drying matters, so ask extension how to handle rain delays.
What pest, disease and safety topics should you know?
Peanut diseases and pests vary by region. Extension programs publish annual guides that cover scouting, thresholds and management options. Follow the label on any product, observe pre-harvest intervals and check state applicator licensing rules. Protect pollinators by following label directions, and respect buffer or restricted-use requirements on labels.
Aflatoxin, a toxin produced by certain molds, is a food safety concern in peanuts, and drought and heat stress can raise risk. Ask extension and your buyer about storage and handling expectations.
What should you check about contracts, insurance and rules?
Peanut markets and programs have their own rules. Talk to your buyer or sheller about contracts and quality standards, and your Farm Service Agency office about program requirements. Crop insurance sets final planting dates by county, so check with your agent and review USDA Risk Management Agency materials.
Keep good records of planting, rotation and harvest dates. Programs and buyers often ask for them.
- Review buyer contracts before planting
- Check FSA and insurance deadlines
- Keep rotation and planting records
What worked example can help you plan a peanut season?
Suppose your area usually reaches reliable warm soil by early May and your buyer wants delivery in the fall. You might plant your best-drained field first, then plant a second field a week or two later so that both do not reach maturity on the same day. That spreads digging and combining across more days and reduces the risk of a single bad weather window.
This is only an example. Your own timing depends on your soil, your variety and your local recommendations. Talk to your extension peanut specialist and neighbors who have grown peanuts for years. They can tell you which fields have caused trouble in wet years and which have been dependable.
Keep notes on planting date, variety, soil conditions and harvest date for each field. Peanut production has many moving parts, and a clear record helps you adjust each season.
Timing at a glance
| Item | Window | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Peanuts, Georgia | Most active planting from about May 6 to May 31 | Usual dates describe typical field activity in that state, not a safe date for your farm. Check your own last frost date, soil temperature and your state extension guide. |
| Peanuts, Alabama | Most active planting from about April 25 to May 25 | Usual dates describe typical field activity in that state, not a safe date for your farm. Check your own last frost date, soil temperature and your state extension guide. |
| Peanuts, Texas | Most active planting from about May 6 to June 5 | Usual dates describe typical field activity in that state, not a safe date for your farm. Check your own last frost date, soil temperature and your state extension guide. |
| Peanuts, North Carolina | Most active planting from about May 10 to May 30 | Usual dates describe typical field activity in that state, not a safe date for your farm. Check your own last frost date, soil temperature and your state extension guide. |
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.