How to Grow English Walnuts
English Walnut trees are nut-bearing shade trees that grow best in locations where the average annual temperature is between negative 20 degrees and 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The English Walnut reaches maturity 20 years after planting and begins producing walnuts 5 to 10 years after planting--much sooner than other varieties of walnuts. The walnuts produced by this tree are simple to harvest and can be kept in your freezer for up to 1 year. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- English Walnut tree
- Soaker hose (optional)
- Organic or chemical fertilizer
- Pruning shears
- Gloves
- Garden hose
- Bucket
Instructions
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Plant your English Walnut tree in a location with well-drained soil that receives several hours of full sun each day. These trees grow to between 30 and 50 feet, with an equal spread. So, if you're planting multiple trees, plant them at least 40 feet apart.
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Water your tree once weekly to keep the soil moist in the absence of rain. Use a slow-watering method to ensure the water sinks deep into the soil. A soaker hose can be purchased from your local garden center for this purpose.
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Use an organic fertilizer like manure or fish emulsion to fertilize your English Walnut tree in the fall. You can also use a specially-formulated chemical fertilizer for trees. When using a chemical fertilizer, apply the fertilizer according to package directions.
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Cut diseased or damaged branches off your tree as necessary to maintain its health. No additional pruning is necessary.
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Harvest your walnuts from late August to the end of September. As the walnuts fall from the tree, collect them, remove their hulls to reveal the shelled nuts and thoroughly wash them with a garden hose. Relocate the nuts to a cool, dry place and let dry for two weeks before eating.
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Tips & Warnings
You might find you need to water your English Walnut tree more frequently in the hot summer months to keep the soil appropriately moist.
Be careful not to over-fertilize your tree to avoid burning or killing the tree's root system.
