If there is such a thing as the king of nuts, then the English walnut certainly takes all honors. Coveted for its delicious fruit and ornamental value, the English walnut tree grows best wherever winters are moderate and springs free of late frosts. The black walnut is native to much of the eastern half of the United States and grows best in that area. For successful pollination of either type of walnut, plant at least two Varieties Grafted trees generally will bear several years earlier than native trees grown from seed.
Planting
In most areas, trees are planted in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. In warmer regions, however, trees may be set out in the fall. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the lengthy taproot. Be sure the planting site is well drained. When replacing soil that has been mixed with compost or sphagnum peat moss, be sure you press soil firmly around roots so air pockets are eliminated. Sometimes an occasional watering as you fill helps settle loose soil. Tree should be planted at the same depth as at nursery.
Black walnut trees tend to bear heavily every second year with a light crop in between.
Care and feeding
Weeds and invading grass should be periodically removed so the tree has access to all the soil nutrients. Keep an eye on the soil surface to determine moisture content. If dry, water thoroughly. A bark or hay mulch can do wonders when rainfall is scarce.
Harvesting
Walnuts are ready to harvest when the hulls crack open. Shake the nuts from the tree. A ripe nut will be easy to crack, allowing easy removal of the kernel. Husk immediately and wash kernels to remove stains. Dry and store in airtight containers.
