In Birmingham, it’s green peanut season! Boiled peanuts are a mainstay of Southern food, but did you know that green peanut season is the best time to try this tasty snack? I asked staff at Alabama Peanut Company in downtown Birmingham to find out more!
As a peanut lover, you may find yourself wondering – when are peanuts in season? Unlike many crops that can be grown year-round, peanuts have a very defined growing and harvest season that impacts their availability. Read on to learn all about peanut seasonality, the optimal harvest times, and where you can find fresh peanuts at their seasonal peak.
What Time of Year Are Peanuts Harvested?
Peanuts are harvested in the fall, during the months of September, October, and November in the United States The specific dates depend on when the peanuts were planted, as the growing cycle takes 120-160 days from planting to harvest
Peak peanut harvest occurs across the Southern states, where the bulk of peanuts are commercially grown. States like Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Oklahoma and Texas produce the most peanuts.
What is the Growing Season for Peanuts?
It takes 4-5 months for peanut plants to mature and produce peanuts. Farmers typically plant peanuts in April or May, allowing time for the plants to flower above ground and produce peanuts underground before autumn arrives.
Below is a general timeline of the peanut growth stages:
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Spring – Peanuts are planted 1-2 inches deep in the soil sometime between late April and early June
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Summer – The plants grow up to 18 inches tall. Underground, the peanuts begin developing in pods attached to the roots.
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Early Fall – The peanut plant leaves start to turn yellow and wither as the pods underground fully mature. This signals harvest time!
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Fall Harvest – Farmers dig up the plants, pick off the peanuts, and dry them for 1-2 weeks before sending off for shelling and roasting.
So peanut harvesting occurs in the fall, but the growing season spans late spring through fall.
When Are Green Peanuts Available?
Green peanuts refers to freshly harvested, unshelled peanuts that haven’t been dried yet. They have a shorter shelf life and have to be cooked soon after picking.
Green peanuts are available only during peak harvest season, generally late August through November. If you live in the Southern U.S., look for local stands and farmers markets selling green peanuts in the fall.
Boiling or roasting green peanuts results in a more tender texture and robust, grassy peanut flavor compared to using raw, dried peanuts later in the year. Southerners love cooking up batches of green boiled peanuts as an autumn treat!
When Can I Buy Fresh Roasted Peanuts?
You can find freshly roasted peanuts year-round, but they’ll be at their peak flavor and quality during harvest season in the fall months.
Seek out local peanut farmers at farmers markets, roadside stands, or farm stores to get freshly roasted peanuts in the shell during harvest season. You may also find fresh roasted peanuts for sale at specialty grocery stores.
For the freshest roasted peanuts, look for packaging marked with the current year’s harvest date, rather than a best by date far in the future. The most recently harvested peanuts will taste best.
Shelled Peanut Availability
Shelled, roasted peanuts are available year-round thanks to drying and storage that prolongs their shelf life when the shells are removed. However, you’ll still find the best flavor and texture in shelled peanuts labeled with the current year’s harvest date.
When buying jarred, canned, or bagged shelled peanuts from the grocery store, check for a “packaged on” date versus a “best by” date to choose the freshest.
Enjoy Peanuts In-Season
While peanut butter, candies, and roasted nut mixes allow us to enjoy peanuts any time of year, there’s nothing quite like savoring peanuts during peak harvest season. Keep an eye out for fresh green peanuts or newly harvested roasted peanuts in the fall months. Buying and eating peanuts at their seasonal best captures the quintessential flavors of the Southern harvest.
When Are Peanuts Harvested FAQs
Here are some common questions about peanut harvesting seasons and availability:
Why are peanuts harvested in the fall?
Peanuts require the entire frost-free growing period from spring through fall to fully develop their seeds (peanuts) underground. Cooler fall temperatures signal the plant to finish maturing.
How do farmers know when peanuts are ready for harvest?
When the peanut plant leaves start yellowing and dying back, the farmer knows the peanuts are mature and ready for digging. This happens after around 120 days of growth.
Where can I find fresh roasted peanuts in the shell?
Check with local farms, farmers markets, and farm stands in the fall months. Stores specializing in Southern foods may also carry them when in season.
How long do fresh green peanuts last after picking?
Green peanuts have a shelf life of 1-2 weeks when refrigerated. They should be cooked soon after harvest to enjoy their peak flavor and texture.
Is peanut harvesting done by hand or machine?
Larger farms use specialized equipment to dig up plants and mechanically separate peanuts from vines. But hand-harvesting is still practiced, especially for harvesting green peanuts.
Can I grow my own peanuts?
Absolutely! In most regions with long, hot summers you can grow peanuts in your garden as an interesting novelty crop. Just wait for the leaves to start yellowing in fall before digging them up.
What are green peanuts?
Unless you’re a peanut expert, the difference between raw and green peanuts is hard to tell. The difference between raw and green depends on the time of year. When a new crop of peanuts is ready, some are dehydrated to last longer. These are raw peanuts, and can be eaten year-round.
However, green peanuts are only available during a small portion of the year. Green peanut season usually lasts from the end of July to late November. Although they are only available for a short time each year, green peanuts are fresh and delicious!.
The South’s favorite snack
Boiled peanuts have been a staple of Southern cuisine since the 1800s. Peanuts that have been boiled with salt or a “Cajun style” spice (my favorite!) can be found almost anywhere in the South. Boiled peanuts aren’t just tasty, but healthy as well. Peanuts are rich in protein, and make a nutritious snack to hold you over until your next meal.
