Peanuts are an important economic crop and oilseed crop in China, playing a vital role in agricultural production. Therefore, peanuts are cultivated throughout most of China, both in the north and south. So, what is the best month to plant peanuts? Let's find out below.
In which month should peanuts be planted?
The optimal planting time for peanuts is generally from mid-April to early May, around the time of Grain Rain (a solar term). However, the specific planting time varies depending on the climate conditions in different regions. For example, in warmer southern regions, planting can begin as early as mid-to-late March.
What are the key points to keep in mind when growing peanuts?
1. Planting methods
In China, peanut cultivation methods generally include open-field cultivation and plastic film mulching. Open-field cultivation is the traditional and conventional method, while plastic film mulching is a newer and more technically demanding method for high-yield cultivation.
2. Planting density
Generally, the planting density of peanuts depends on two main factors: soil fertility and variety. Assuming the plot is planted with large-sized peanuts and the soil fertility is good, approximately 5,000-6,000 holes can be planted per acre. However, if the soil fertility is average or poor, the planting density can be increased appropriately, to approximately 6,000-7,000 holes per acre.
3. Sowing depth
Generally, peanuts should be sown at a depth of about 5 cm. It's important to follow the principles of "don't plant too deep when dry, don't plant too shallow when wet," and to plant shallower in clay soil and deeper in sandy or sandy soil. For open-field cultivation, the maximum planting depth should not exceed 7 cm, and the minimum should not be less than 3 cm.
4. Pay attention to the floor temperature
Sowing can only begin if the soil temperature at a depth of 5 cm exceeds 15.5℃ for 5 consecutive days. Sowing is prone to seed rot if the soil temperature is not reached at this point.
5. Pay attention to the cutting edge
Peanuts are a legume crop, and generally speaking, they should not be planted in the same field repeatedly. It is best to rotate crops as much as possible, ideally once a year.
