🥜 Plant, Grow, and Spread the Love: Peanuts & Peanut Butter in Northwest Ohio

Who says you need a southern climate to grow peanuts? With a little planning, even here in Northwest Ohio, you can cultivate this fun, rewarding crop. For me, growing peanuts isn’t just about the harvest—it’s about continuing a family tradition and creating something special for my grandkids.

👵🏽 A Legacy of Love: Mama T’s Homemade Peanut Butter

grandmother, Mama T, has always been the heart of our family. She’s known for her homemade peanut butter—simple, delicious, and made with love. Growing up, I remember watching her roast peanuts and turn them into smooth, flavorful peanut butter that she’d share with everyone.

This year, I’m excited to take that legacy a step further by growing my own peanuts right in my garden. My goal? To make homemade peanut butter from scratch, just like Mama T, and to share it with the Royal grandkids. I can already picture their little hands helping me shell peanuts, stirring the mixture, and spreading it on toast. It’s a memory in the making—one that connects generations and brings a simple, homemade touch to our family table.

🌱 Growing Peanuts in Northwest Ohio

Yes, you can grow peanuts here! Here’s how:

✅ Choose the Right Variety: Opt for Virginia or Valencia peanuts, which adapt well to shorter growing seasons. I opted for the Bailey II Virginia variety which are known to have high yields of medium to large kernels, and it exhibits good disease resistance.

✅ Timing: Start seeds indoors in April, or sow directly outdoors in late May to early June once the soil warms to 65–70°F.

✅ Soil: Loose, sandy soil is best. If your soil is heavy, consider raised beds or containers filled with a light, well-draining mix.

✅ Planting: Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep, spaced 6-8 inches apart.

✅ Sunlight: Peanuts need full sun for at least 6 hours a day.

✅ Water: Keep the soil evenly moist during flowering and pegging stages.

✅ Harvest: Peanuts are ready in about 120–150 days. When the leaves turn yellow, pull the plants, dry them for 2-3 weeks, then shell.

🥄 Easy Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe

Here’s a simple, natural way to make peanut butter from your harvest—just like Mama T, but with a modern twist!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups roasted, shelled peanuts (unsalted)

• ½ teaspoon sea salt (optional)

• 1-2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional)

  
  

Instructions:

1️⃣ Roast the Peanuts: If not already roasted, spread peanuts on a baking sheet and roast at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Cool slightly.

2️⃣ Blend: Place peanuts in a food processor. Blend until they break down into crumbs, then into a thick paste, and finally into smooth peanut butter. This takes about 5–10 minutes.

3️⃣ Optional Flavoring: Add sea salt and honey or maple syrup for extra flavor and sweetness.

4️⃣ Chunky Version: For chunky peanut butter, pulse in extra chopped peanuts at the end.

5️⃣ Store: Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

🌟 Tip: The longer you blend, the creamier the texture. For a fun family activity, get the kids involved in shelling the peanuts and stirring!

🌿 Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or trying

something new this year, peanuts are a fun, rewarding crop to grow—even in Northwest Ohio. For me, it’s more than just a garden project—it’s a way to honor my grandmother’s legacy and create lasting memories with my grandkids. 🥰

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