Peanut Grass

[maud gonne]

I'm thinking I'd like to plant peanut grass (aka perennial peanut?) on a newly cleared lot, instead of lawn. Does anyone have experience with seeding it in. Should I put down black cinder first? Any tips appreciated.

[Stizz]

I have just begun my peanut grass, so far so good. Mine is in black compacted cinder, but seems to do better in the spots where there is more soil.

[terracore]

Did you start from seed or rhizome?

[Stizz]

Seed here, about 1 seed per sq. ft - probably about 70-80% germination in about a week.

[Susan]

Where did you purchase seed?

[Stizz]

I got mine online from Hancock Seed, but there may be other sources.

[spencerw]

in my experience it grows quicker from cuttings and prefers shade while establishing so theres less competition from the weeds. establishing from seed could take 6 months to a year.

perennial peanut does not grow like you hope it will. weeds still grow though it and can potentially take over the patch if not well weeded and well watched. would be better to establish it under your trees than as a complete lawn replacement.

growing it with another ground cover could prevent the weeds from going up in it. i usually layer with perennial peanut and sweet potato or lablab. if you do that make sure its fenced or pig free, as the pigs love sweet potato.

[Susan]

Does anyone know a local source for seed? Hancocks shipping price was almost as much as the 1lb bag of seed.

[kalakoa]

a local source for seed

I got my peanutgrass from a craigslist vendor selling cuttings for $5/lb.

weeds still grow though it

I had thick, established patches that were successfully blocking weeds.

Then the pigs came. Turns out they like peanutgrass too, because the thick mat has lots of grubs underneath.