How to Harvest American Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts have to be harvested in the fall.

American hazelnuts grow in burrs on a low maintenance plant that needs to be planted in full sun with well drained soil. The hazelnut plant will not produce nuts until it is three to four years old. The first couple of crops will be small but afterwards the plant will start producing more nuts. The nuts will grow in clusters and are ready to be picked in mid fall.

Things You'll Need

• Garden shears (optional)
• Bucket
• Newspaper
• Mulch
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Dig a hole for the plant that is twice the size of the root ball. This will help the roots spread out and properly establish themselves.

2. Apply mulch around the base of the hazelnut plant for the first two to four years until the roots become well established. Mulching will be unnecessary after the first couple of crops, but it can be used to suppress any weed problems.

3. Water and fertilize the plant regularly for the first year. Water it daily for a week, then space the watering times apart to weekly, then monthly. After a year, an established plant will only need watering during a drought. Fertilizing needs to be done once a month for the first few months, then only during dry seasons.

4. Harvest the hazelnuts during mid fall when the leaves and the burrs turn brown. The burrs, which the nuts bunch into, should be picked whole and placed in a bucket or basket. Twist and pull the burrs from the plant or cut them off with small garden shears.

5. Pull the two parts of the burr apart, which will loosen the nut.

Tips & Warnings

• Roasted hazelnuts can be put in a freezer bag and placed in a freezer to preserve flavor.

References

• Food-Skills-For-Self-Sufficiency.com: Growing Hazelnuts for Self Sufficiency
• Plant-Materials.Nrcs.Usda.gov: Planting Guide American Hazelnut
• Dnr.State.OH.US: Rediscovering the American Hazelnut