Carwile's Virginia Jumbo

Family: Fabaceae Vegetable

Roast-sweet and richly nutty, Carwile’s Virginia Jumbo Peanut delivers a generous, full-bodied bite with a satisfyingly crisp snap and a buttery, mellow finish.

The large kernels develop a warm, golden character that shines in dry-roasting and makes a standout base for creamy peanut-style spreads and hearty, flavorful sauces. Grow for a long season of steady pod fill—then harvest jumbo size that feels truly special from your own garden.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 130 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Carwile's Virginia Jumbo

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jul 4th
Harvest Begins	Nov 11th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	130
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	60
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These jumbo Virginia kernels roast up with a warm, golden sweetness and a clean snap, so they hold texture instead of collapsing into paste. Use them where you want peanut flavor to stay bold—dry-roast for crunch or blend and reduce into a sauce that coats and clings.

Best Uses

dry-roasting and salting for a loud, crunchy snack
making thick peanut-style spreads (stirred or processed smooth-to-grainy)
peanut sauces for noodles or braises—reduced to cling without tasting raw
adding jumbo crunch to salads, slaws, or grain bowls

Flavor Profile

roast-sweet nuttiness big, crisp kernel snap buttery, mellow finish

Kitchen Pairings

brown sugar soy sauce lime juice garlic ginger chili oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects peanut (Arachis hypogaea), and how can I control it?

Peanuts are frequently hit by early leaf spot and later peanut rust, which start as small spots on leaves and spread during warm, humid weather. Remove and destroy the most affected leaves, water at the soil line (not overhead) to keep foliage dry, and improve airflow between plants. If problems persist, use a labeled fungicide for leaf spot/rust on peanuts and start applications at the first signs, following the product label closely.

How often should I water peanuts during the main growing phase (after they establish), and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

After emergence, keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged—aim for lightly moist soil in the top few inches, then let the surface begin to dry slightly before watering again. During flowering and pod development (about mid-season through maturity), water regularly to maintain steady moisture, typically around 1 inch per week total (rain + irrigation) depending on your soil and heat. Avoid letting plants go fully dry for long stretches, because drought stress reduces pod set and kernel size.

How do I tell when Carwile’s Virginia Jumbo peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when most plants have mature, tan-brown pods and the leaves start yellowing, usually around 130 days from sowing for this type. Carefully lift a few plants and check that the pods are fully developed and the interior skins are mature (firm and colored, not pale/soft). Stop watering about 1–2 weeks before harvest to help pods mature and reduce risk of decay during drying.