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Can You Grow Peanut in California?

US · USDA Zone 9b · zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Grows well here

Peanuts grow well here with a long, hot summer and loose, sandy, well-drained soil.

Plant zones

6a–11b

California last frost

mid-January

California first frost

late December

Days to harvest

120–150 days

When to plant Peanuts in California

Start indoors

Jan 1

Transplant

Jan 10

Harvest

May 10 – Jun 9

Dates are approximate, based on California's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Peanut

Peanuts are a fascinating crop — not a tree nut but a legume that flowers above ground and buries its pods below. They need a long, hot growing season and loose, sandy soil.

Plant raw, unroasted peanuts after soil warms to 65°F+. Hill soil around plants as they grow so pegs can bury. Harvest when foliage yellows; dry the pods before shelling.

Full peanut growing guide →

Gardening in California

California spans more climate zones than any other state. Coastal regions are mild year-round; the Central Valley is hot and productive; mountains are cold; deserts are extreme.

See what grows well in California →

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow Peanut in California?

Peanuts grow well here with a long, hot summer and loose, sandy, well-drained soil.

What zone is California?

California spans USDA Zone 9b (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b).

When do you plant Peanuts in California?

Plant Peanuts around mid-January (start indoors Jan 1), harvest May 10 – Jun 9.