Find out how to grow Nuts on your allotment plot or in your kitchen garden. Click the Nut below, that you would like to learn more about and discover all the information you need to grow a successful crop this season.
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You often hear about people growing fruit and vegetables or herbs, but as a nation, we rarely consider growing nuts. Unlike other plants which bear fruit within a few months, nuts can often take years to grow, requiring patience and dedication.
If you want to grow something completely unique at your allotment or in your home, why not consider growing nuts? Contrary to what many people think, nuts are not just meant for tropical climates. In the UK, some varieties you can successfully grow include walnuts, hazelnuts, and sweet chestnuts. Almonds can also be grown in some areas where the temperature is more favourable, though the results may vary.
If you are an allotment owner or passionate gardener looking to grow nuts or try something new, you have come to the right place. Providing detailed individual guides on growing various different types of nuts, Allotment Online is your go-to destination for all things gardening and sustainable living.
Selecting what nuts to grow on your allotment land will depend on several factors. For instance, if you are in Northern England, growing hazelnuts and certain types of walnuts are more suited because of the cooler temperatures. However, if your allotment is located in a more Southern part of the country, where the temperature is milder, almonds and walnuts typically grow better.
After deciding on what type of nuts you would like to grow, you must prepare the right soil. Hazelnuts require well-drained soil that is slightly acidic or neutral, whereas walnuts require fertile and well-drained soil, and almonds require loamy soil (which is a combination of sand, silt and clay).
Another important factor to consider is the size of the space you have. Hazelnuts can grow in smaller spaces, but walnuts and almonds can grow into larger trees and so need a bigger space.
Lastly, when choosing which type of nut to start growing, figure out how much time and effort you can devote. Walnuts and hazelnuts are low maintenance, but almonds need much more care.
When growing nuts, you need to have patience. It may take a few years before you start seeing results. For example, walnut trees take about 4 to 10 years to bear fruit and only reaches its full potential after 7-10 years of planting.
Almonds take 5 to 8 years to mature. While, hazelnuts can bear nuts after 2 to 4 years, reaching their full nut-bearing capacity after 7 years.
You must choose fresh, mature, and unprocessed nuts to obtain their seed. To germinate the nut seeds, they will require cold stratification. This is the process in which you place the seeds inside a plastic bag containing moist sand and refrigerate them at a temperature of around 1-5°C. The cold stratification period will vary depending on the nut seed that you have chosen.
Prepare the soil depending on the nut you are growing, and then dig a pit that is 5cm deep, with the pointed part of the seed facing downward. Keep the soil moist, but ensure that there is no water logging.
Protect the seed from frost or heavy rainfall as this might disrupt the germination process. The seed can take anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks to germinate.
Once the seedling emerges, protect it from animals, pests, or harsh weather phenomena (rain, snow, or draught). Finally, when the seedling is about 2cm long above the ground, transplant it to its final location.
It’s crucial to control the attack of pests and diseases during every phase of the nut plant’s life cycle. During the early stages, it can cause the young plant to die, and in the later stages, it can impact the nut yield.
Some common pests that impact different nuts:
It is important to care for the plant by regularly monitoring for any signs of infection or pest attack, this can allow for early detection and prevent the spread of the disease. The plants need to be pruned at regular intervals, debris and fall leaves must be removed, and the soil must be properly irrigated.
Allotment Online is a large community of allotment growers and passionate gardeners. Our platform is meant for both novice and experienced allotment growers. Therefore, if you are looking for assistance with your growing experiences, you can rely on us. We have endless tips, guidance, and other resources. From growing nuts to sharing your experience and discovering gardening events, we have it all!
You can also browse through our other guide on growing herbs, vegetables and fruits. Sign up for our newsletter and share your experience of growing nuts!
