Nuts are a nutrient-packed superfood, so it makes sense to grow them in your backyard if you’ve got a green thumb. This guide will teach you 10 tips for growing nuts in your garden. You’ll have a great first experience that results in tasty treats for you and your loved ones.
1. Pick Your Plant
There are two ways to grow nuts, depending on the size of your garden. You could choose to plant a few nut trees or grow bushes next to your flowers or veggies. It depends on how much space you have in your yard and which type of plant you’d like to grow.
2. Check the Calendar
You’ll need to plan when you’ll plant your nuts. If you want to grow peanuts, they’ll need to go into your soil during the mid to late spring season, whereas almond or macadamia nut trees can start growing in the winter. Timing your planting will ensure a successful harvest.
3. Research Harvesting Steps
Nuts require different harvesting methods, which may affect your schedule or health. Planting a macadamia nut tree requires years of patience before you can reach up, pick the nuts, and remove the outer shells. Sometimes that’s a clean process, but other types of nuts create more of a mess.
Gardeners with asthma may not want to grow almonds after reading about their harvesting process. Gathering fresh almonds creates excessive dust that could trigger breathing problems. Planning to reduce the dust by taking extra speed precautions or growing another type of nut could make your gardening experience much more enjoyable.
4. Choose Diet-Friendly Fertilizer
Most fertilizers use chemicals to decrease the sale price. It’s an affordable solution, but you may not want your future peanut or almond snacks to contain chemicals.
Composting is an excellent alternative to chemical fertilizers. Anyone can start composting by building a bin with wood pallets or purchasing one from a garden center. The bin will naturally break down household waste to create an organic fertilizer that keeps your eventual harvest safe from chemicals.
5. Make a Watering Schedule
Every plant needs a different amount of water, so research your specific nut variety to make an accurate watering schedule. If you grow peanuts, they’ll only need 1 inch of water weekly, but gardeners will require 1 gallon of water per almond tree. Your water bill, gardening schedule, and environmental concerns may change what you decide to grow.
6. Learn About Potential Pests
Gardens are great homes for insects. It’s crucial to research any nut varieties you might want to grow before planting them to prepare for eventual battles with pests.
A few minutes of research could save the day later on. For example, pecans are vulnerable to 24 types of pests that require different pest removal solutions. Learning about insects that will destroy your nut plants is one of the best tips for growing nuts in your garden because you’ll know how to handle them if they arrive.
7. Check Your Garden Daily
Nut trees and bushes take a few months to a few years to reach maturity, but that doesn’t mean you can go that long without checking on them. Reserve time in your schedule to check your new plants daily. You’ll catch pest problems before they become a garden crisis and address any other needs your nut plants may have, like requiring more or less water.
8. Study Drying Techniques
Most nut species need hulling and drying to last long-term in your pantry. Depending on your budget, you can dry them with your oven or a dehydrator. Both methods require 12 to 24 hours to dry nuts, but you’ll need more money upfront to invest in a dehydrator.
9. Prepare Your Storage Supplies
Nuts require airtight containers to remain fresh in your pantry or fridge. You could use mason jars that you already have at home, sealed containers in your cabinets, or new supplies from a local store. Compare storage methods for the nut varieties in your garden to ensure they last a long time.
10. Let Your Friends Know
Many gardeners end up with more nuts than they expected, so let your friends know what you’re growing this year. They may want your extra macadamia nuts or almonds for their favorite recipes. You could also let them know where you plan to sell them at upcoming farmers’ markets.
Grow Nuts in Your Garden
Many gardeners end up with more nuts than expected, so let your friends know what you’re growing this year. They may want your extra macadamia nuts or almonds for their favorite recipes. You could also let them know where you plan to sell them at upcoming farmers’ markets.
Bio:
Jane is an environmental writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Environment.co where she covers sustainability and eco-friendly living.