Have you ever considered growing peanuts in your garden? Peanuts are fairly easy to grow. If you have ever grown potatoes, chances are you will be able to grow peanuts.
How to plant the Peanuts :
While you can have some good success by planting peanuts bought at the grocery store - raw ones, not roasted, you will do far better by purchasing proper seed peanuts from a good plant retailer. Purchased peanut seed should still be in their shells, but you will have to shell them immediately before planting or they may dry out to a point where they will not germinate.
Given their long growing season, you may want to get your peanut plants started early indoors. Use paper or peat pots as can reduce root shock when it comes to transplanting. You will need pots that are 3-4 inches in diameter so if you cant find biodegradable pots at this size them use plastic instead.
Start your seeds 3 or 4 weeks before you expect your last frost date. Using a good quality compost such as John Innes 'Seed and Potting' , plant 2 or 3 seeds in each pot, and covered them with 2 inches of compost soil. Keep them well watered, but don’t have the compost waterlogged as this will damage the juvenile root system.
Once the peanut seeds begin to germinate, remove the weakest leaving just one strong peanut plant per pot. Your peanuts or seedlings should be planted outside into their final position once there is no more threat of frost.
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Give it a try, add some variety to your gardening experience, and in the process you can learn a new and useful skill that can increase your level of self sufficiency.