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Basalt Black Peanut

Basalt Black Peanut

$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00

New for 2025 - We're very excited to finally offer this variety. Selected for more than a decade for earliness and production. Small pods filled with dark black peanuts. The only black peanut I've come across that reliably matures for us outdoors. Named after the dark volcanic basalt rock that forms our Fundy shore, and shapes our valley.  8-10 pods (equalling about 25 seeds)  

These seeds originally came from Southern Exposure in Virginia, where I visited in 2013. I picked up several black-seeded varieties, including Carolina Black and Schronce's Deep Black. At first they were a near total flop, I definitely harvested fewer seeds than I planted the first year. The plants grew fine, but they didn't ripen in our comparatively short Nova Scotia growing season. I had just enough seeds to replant, so I did, mixing the surviving varieties together. Year two was hardly better, but the experiment continued. Finally at around year five something clicked; nearly every plant in the row had nicely developed pods. Since then we've been growing out increasingly large plantings, selecting actively for the highest yielding plants. Basically the same strategy we've used with Annapolis Select. 

Compared to Annapolis Select, these ones are smaller plants and not quite as productive. They both mature outdoors reliably for us. We direct seed them in early June, and harvest roughly mid-October (soon after the first frost, whenever it falls). 130 days to maturity, more or less.          
Growing Info
Sowing and timing We've had the best success direct sowing our peanuts in early June. I find they don't like having their roots disturbed, and transplanting often slows their growth. But that said, I've heard from plenty of growers who transplant their peanuts with good results. Don't let plants get root bound if you do start them indoors, 4 weeks ahead of transplant seems about right to me.
Soil Light and loose soil is key to peanut success, their pods struggle to develop in heavy or stoney soil. Sandy loam is ideal, raised beds are a good option if your soil is naturally heavy.
Harvesting I harvest our plants shortly after the first fall frost kills their foliage. Loosen the soil and pull the plants, I tie them into loose bundles and hang them under cover to cure (airflow and critter protection is essential)
Light Full sun
Days to maturity 130+ The longer you can keep them growing into fall the more pods will successfully develop. You may want to protect plants from those early fall light frosts using plastic or row covers. Buying them a few extra weeks ripening time will likely improve the harvest.