How to Fertilize Perennial Peanuts

The perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) is a tropical legume that grows well in subtropical climates, such as that in Florida and Georgia. Perennial peanut does not produce nuts and the plant is generally grown as livestock feed. It is slowly taking hold among gardeners, in the home landscape, as an ornamental groundcover. Perennial peanut is drought- and nematode-resistant and, because it fixes nitrogen like all legumes, it requires little fertilizer, and then only once a year, as it is coming out of dormancy, in the spring.

Fertilizer
Fertilizer spreader

Instructions

- 1
  Deliver or mail a soil sample to your county cooperative extension office for analysis. Once you have the results, consult with the extension agent as to what is lacking in the soil and what type of fertilizer is appropriate.
- 2
  Purchase fertilizer, based on the results of the soil test. Agriculturists with the University of Florida suggest that the perennial peanut should never be given nitrogen, but a potassium-magnesium sulfate fertilizer with a 0-0-22-22S-11Mg. analysis.
- 3
  Calibrate the fertilizer spreader according to manufacturer's instructions.
- 4
  Add the fertilizer to the fertilizer spreader at the rate recommended and broadcast it evenly over the perennial peanut plants.
- 5
  Water the perennial peanuts to a depth of 6 inches to soak the fertilizer into the soil.

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