Land Selection

Land Selection

Soils best suited to peanut production are well drained, light-colored, loose, friable, sandy loams that contain high levels of calcium and a moderate amount of organic matter. Optimum peanut production occurs on land with a topsoil depth of 1.5 to 2 feet with a friable sandy loam or clay loam subsoil. Better yields may be obtained with heavier textured soils, but these soils tend to adhere to the pods, causing discoloration that reduces market quality and value and often increases percentages of foreign material at harvest. Avoid planting peanuts in fields with shallow topsoil or in poorly drained areas.