Picking peanuts always takes me back to my childhood in eastern North Carolina. My nephew Barney and I spent countless afternoons playing hide-and-seek among the peanut fields. Back then, farmers dug the peanuts and stacked them on poles to dry before harvesting. The fields carried a rich, earthy scent that seemed to linger everywhere, a smell I still associate with those carefree days on the farm.
Harry Roberson leaning on his Peanut Stacks in Gold Point, NC, circa 1940 (Thanks to Hank Roberson for the use of his grandfather’s photo)
We loved to hide behind these stacks and to climb them, much to the dismay of my parents. All the children in the neighborhood joined us and we stayed out until way after dark. Sadly, the peanut stacks are gone.
Today, farmers harvest “pick” peanuts a little differently. After the peanuts are dug, they are left in the fields to dry naturally in the sun. Once they have dried, a peanut picker moves through the rows, lifting the plants and separating the peanuts from the vines. As the machine works, the harvested peanuts are collected while the dried vines are discharged out the back. Later, another piece of equipment comes through to gather and bale the leftover vines into peanut hay, creating a valuable source of livestock feed.
Peanuts Drying in the Fields in eastern North Carolina out the Kitchen Window at Big Mill B&B circa 1959
Folks often ask me what is upstairs in the Pack House loft. Well, it used to be full of peanut hay that was used all year to feed the mules. I remember the sight and smell of it as if it were yesterday. And, truthfully, sometimes you can still smell the peanut hay; just like you can still smell curing tobacco on hot August nights.
There are newer, fancier machines than this one, but these older versions are my favorites. These peanuts belong to Bill Griffin, my next door neighbor. This was taken in 2015.
If you know a peanut farmer, or if you live in the South, you probably know all about Boiled Peanuts. These are the young, not quite mature peanuts that we call Green Peanuts. Be sure to try my Boiled Peanuts Recipe for these salty treats that can be found at roadside stands all over the Southern USA.
Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Extended Stay
Quiet rentals for traveling nurses & professionals in eastern North Carolina 252-792-8787
Looking for extended stay lodging in Eastern North Carolina? Big Mill Extended Stay offers quiet, fully furnished rentals ideal for traveling nurses, medical professionals, contractors, and guests relocating to the area. Our accommodations provide comfort, privacy, and Southern hospitality – perfect for short-term or long-term stays. We also have three RV rental spaces.
- Picking Peanuts in Eastern North Carolina - October 20, 2026
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- Boiled Green Peanuts – Southern Style - October 8, 2026
