It’s Earth Day: Go Nuts

It’s Earth Day: Go Nuts

The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the temperatures are finally rising, which can only mean one thing. Spring has officially sprung. Each April, nature’s rebirth kicks off Earth’s next trip around the sun, and communities around the world gather together to celebrate this rebirth and honor our planet on April 22nd. Earth Day celebrations are a universal reminder of the world’s beauty and how we can take action within our homes, neighborhoods and organizations to care for it. In celebration of this special holiday, we are sharing four ways the peanut plant can improve the Earth.


Peanut shells can be used as mulch.

Instead of tossing your peanut shells into the garbage, consider repurposing them to bring your garden back to life. Peanut shells have a hard texture similar to wood chips and can be used as mulch to protect crops and plants from weed germination, reduce the risk of erosion, retain moisture and stabilize temperatures in the soil. Also, mulching with peanut shells is easy. As the Farmer’s Almanac claims, just “add some cottonseed meal to ground or broken-up peanut shells to help them decompose and prevent them from compacting after a rain, then apply as you would any mulch.”


Peanut shells can be used as compost.

Peanut shells are rich in nutrients and are an excellent source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Additionally, because of their carbon levels, peanut shells can improve the integrity of the soil when added to nitrogen-rich organic materials in compost. Instead of stripping the earth of valuable nutrients, the soil-friendly nature of peanuts add these minerals back to the earth and improve the top layer of soil on farms. 


Peanut shells can be used in animal feed.

Peanuts are a zero-waste plant, which means every part of the nut can be utilized for a specific purpose. In addition to having the capability to serve as both mulch and compost when gardening or growing crops, peanut shells also contain protein, fat and essential vitamins. Accordingly, the hulls of peanuts can improve the quality of animal feed.


Peanut farming practices are inherently sustainable.
 

When it comes to farming practices, peanuts are one of the most earth-friendly, sustainable plants there are. Peanut farming systems use more advanced technology to reduce the carbon footprint of agricultural practices. Additionally, peanuts require less water than most crops, which makes peanut farms much more efficient than others with more thirsty plants that require more irrigation.

Celebrate Earth Day with Hampton Farms by repurposing your peanuts to improve the planet! Mother Nature will thank you.

Hampton Farms has been delivering the freshest, best quality peanuts from seed to shelf since 1917. Our business is family owned and operated, and we are committed to producing the finest peanut-based snacks and services with integrity, honesty and the pride of American farmers. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or headed to the ballpark, purchase some Hampton Farms nuts today!


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