I do not advise you to try starting peanuts indoors. They have a relatively shallow root system and do not like to be transplanted, nor do they like their roots disturbed. Plant them when the soil really warms up and count 110 days or so to harvest. This is one of my favorite plants to grow because they make "pegs", unlike any other plant, except Goober Peas from Africa (I got some seeds for them to try this year!). You need a lot of room for them and the soil has to be fluffy all around so that the pegs aren't inhibited. This is very hard to do given that they don't like soil disturbance so rototilling is out. The growing area must be weed free. I'm trying shredded newspaper this year but a fluffy mulch should work too, but probably not leaves that mat down.

Sesame takes 90 days of true hot tropical weather and full days of baking sun. The seeds will rot in cool or wet soils. I have not had success growing them. Our weather is too variable. But it may be fun to try again and will plant them in June. Let us know how you fared.

You also might want to post this question on the Vegetable Forum. I'd be interested in what the guru's over there had as answers. And, please post when you've finished your experiments!

Nancy the nancedar

Have not tried the peanuts.

I sprinkle the sesame seeds in the garden once the weather warms up consistently - May or June (mark the row as seeds are small) and have gotten good crops - they like neglect except for some water to germinate. My garden is full sun so that helps with them.

How big do sesame plants get? How far apart did you plant them?

Hi Jane:

I don't have an exact method - 1-2 inches apart (if I have a lot I sprinke more and thin the plants), cover lightly (sandy soil is best), 2-3 feet tall, may vary depending on the distance of plants and weather. The flowers are pretty-light pink. I'm very casual about the whole thing and they do well no matter what I do - my kind of plant.

The hard part is collecting the seeds for harvest..when the plant and seed capsules turn brown, they start to split open and the seeds fall out - I watch the plants and when this starts to happen, pull the plants out of the ground and put them upside down in something to catch the seeds.