Walnut trees not only provide you with nutritious and delicious fruits, but their wood is highly prized for furniture, and they provide great shade for your garden! If you're looking to learn how to grow walnut trees, this DIY gardening guide will give you step by step instructions! English or Persian walnut trees are the most common varieties found throughout North America and they can reach a staggering height of 50 feet! A mature tree will produce 50-80 pounds of walnuts yearly.
Before planting your walnut trees, head over to your local nursery to see which variety will grow best in your climate! To learn more about how to grow walnut trees, keep reading!
How to Grow Walnut Trees in Your Garden
Planting Walnut Trees:
- Till a 12 square foot area to at least 10 inches in depth and be sure to remove any grass, weeds, or other plants that may impede with the walnut tree's growth.
- Then, dig a hole that's about 1-2 inches wider than the walnut seedlings' root ball.
- Place the seedlings into the hole and bury the roots 1 to 2 inches below the soil. Fill in the hole and tamp down to eliminate any air pockets.
- Water the tree until moist but not soaked.
- Mulch the surrounding area with organic mulch to retain moisture.
- Be sure to keep the mulch about 2 inches away from the new tree.
Caring for Walnut Trees:
- Because of their extensive root system, walnut trees do not need much water.
- Only water if the top 2 inches of soil are dry.
- Prune any dead or damaged limbs as the tree matures.
- Re-mulch if need be in the spring.
Harvesting Walnuts:
- Unfortunately, walnut trees will not produce any walnuts until at least in its 10th year of maturity, so patience is needed!
- Peak production will actually be at the 30th year.
- Persian walnuts are ready for harvest when the seed coat has turned a light tan color.
- To harvest the walnuts, simply shake the tree and/or branches and rake what has fallen down.
- Dry the seeds for a few days on a tarp and try to do this in a garage or somewhere indoors to keep squirrels from eating your harvest!
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