How to Harvest Walnut Trees
Walnuts grow in large deciduous trees that can reach up to 130 feet tall. Walnut trees thrive wild throughout the United States. But you shouldn't let their height discourage you. You can still harvest the delicious nuts they produce by picking them off the ground and pulling them off low branches. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Press on the walnut. You'll see an indentation on the husk--the outer skin--of a ripe nut, which indicates it's ready for you to pick it. The color of the husk is another telltale sign. It changes from green to yellowish green as the nut ripens. Walnuts are an early fall crop ready for harvesting by late September.
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Pull the nuts off the stems. If they're too high up for you to reach, wait for them to fall on the ground, which usually happens during frosty weather. Wear gloves as the juice from the husks releases a brown juice that will stain your hands.
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Remove the husks right after harvest. If you don't, they'll affect the flavor of the nut as they decompose. Keep your gloves on and put on safety goggles. Hit the nut with a hammer or brick to break the husks.
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Place the nuts in their shells in a dry and cool place with good air flow for them to cure. Protect them from sunlight. This process should last two weeks and will enhance the walnuts' flavor and prepare them for storage.
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Crack one nut open. After two weeks of curing, the meat should break with a sharp snap. If it doesn't, the nuts need more curing or mold will grow on them during storage.
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Store the walnuts in their shells. Put them in a humid area so the shells won't crack. They will last longer if the temperature is below 60 degrees F.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear gloves and an old shirt when handling the walnut husks. They release a juice that stains. To shell the stored walnuts, first soak them in hot water for 24 hours to make it easier to break them open.
