Many homesteaders focus on growing their own fruits, veggies, and herbs. If you enjoy growing your own stuff, then please don’t forget about nuts! Provided you have the right climate and soil, there are many nuts that you can start growing right now in your home. If you’re wondering about how to grow nuts at home, this article will introduce you to three of the easiest nut trees for home gardeners.
Do All Nuts Grow On Trees?
A handful of nuts is a fantastic energy-boosting snack packed full of protein.
Whether you’re in love with peanut butter sandwiches, homemade granola, or morning oats with fresh fruits and nuts, you may not believe where nuts actually come from.
Peanuts are actually considered legumes because they grow below ground like peas and lentils. “Cashews, walnuts, pistachios, and almonds… are classified as seeds of the trees (or fruits!) they grow on.”
Interestingly enough, the U.S. Forest Service acknowledges that only “chestnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts fit the true definition of a nut.”
In any case, nuts are a great source of nutrients and also happen to be one of the more expensive items at your local supermarket.
3 Easy Nut Trees To Grow At Home
A nut is defined as “a hard-shelled dry fruit or seed with a separable rind or shell and interior kernel.”
Although the cultivation of nuts requires fairly specific growing conditions, you can be sure that harvest time will bring loads of smiles to you and your family.
Almonds
One of the best nuts to have in your healthy diet is almonds.
These nuts are actually considered to be a superfood. Almonds are perfect if you are on a low-carb diet and need the fiber without the carbs, or if you need more protein and iron while on a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Almonds are often grown in California in the United States, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow them yourself. Many environments allow you to grow almond trees, but you do need a hot and dry climate.
Hazelnuts
If you don’t live in the deep south, you should be able to grow some hazelnuts at home.
You need a moderate climate where it doesn’t get too hot or too cold. You need up to 1,200 hours of chill in order to help flower the hazelnuts.
Hazelnuts aren’t easy to grow, but they’re not impossible for someone who can spend the time and has patience with them. It is best when you use different cultivars in order for the best hazelnut crops.
The best soil for hazelnut trees will have a moderate acidic level in it and harvesting usually occurs during September and October.
Walnuts
Walnuts are another nutritious nut that you can try growing yourself. There are some different types of walnuts, from heartnuts to black walnuts. If you’re wondering how fast do walnut trees grow, know that it will take a bit of time to see a return on your investment.
To grow walnuts, you will need 400 to over 1,000 hours of cold weather, and you also want deep soil and plenty of sun.
Like most nuts, walnuts require full sun during the growing season. Walnuts do take time, often a few years to grow completely since they need to be cross-pollinated.
If you’re wondering how many pounds of walnuts does a tree produce, the answer is around 50 to 80 pounds a year according to Zack DeAngelis, the creator of Tree Journey.
These are best for a large yard since the trees can get up to 100 feet tall. They are great to have once the harvest begins.
How to Grow a Macadamia Nut Tree
Macadamia nut trees “grow best in coastal areas where temperatures range between 50 and 80°F.” You can either start to grow a macadamia tree by seed or through a more advanced technique known as grafting.
Regular watering is required and you won’t begin to see your trees bearing fruit until it is about 6 to 7 years of age.
In the meantime, however, macadamia trees are a great source of shade for your home. Plus, the creamy white or pink flowers that it bears during the spring are absolutely stunning.
How to Grow Nuts at Home
While growing your own nuts is a big project and not as simple as fruits or vegetables, it is a good hobby for avid gardeners. Once you learn how to grow nuts, you’ll have access to your own organic nuts to be used and enjoyed as a healthy snack, in different dishes, and for various seasoning combinations.