Hazelnuts are a delicious and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But when is the best time to pick them?
Harvesting hazelnuts can be a bit tricky, as the timing depends on several factors such as the weather, the maturity of the nuts, and the risk of animal predation.
In this article, we will explore the different stages of hazelnut growth and provide tips on when and how to harvest them.
Whether you are a seasoned forager or a novice nut enthusiast, read on to discover the secrets of hazelnut harvesting.
What Time Of Year Do You Pick Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts typically ripen from late August through October, with most ripe nuts found in September and October. The exact timing can vary depending on the weather and the specific hazelnut variety.
Hazelnut bushes usually produce their first nuts in their fourth year, but they won’t reach full nut production until year nine or later. It’s important to note that nuts should be harvested as soon as they become loose in their husks to avoid losses to animal predation.
In some plants, this may occur when the husks are still green and moist, while in others, it may not be until they are brown and dry. If the clusters can be pulled from the bushes easily, they are ready to harvest.
If the husks were still green and moist at harvest time, they need to post-ripen for a week or two in conditions of high humidity but with adequate light and air circulation. If the husks were starting to turn brown at harvest time, they should be allowed to dry completely by spreading them out in a well-ventilated (but mouse-proof) location until completely dry.
The Hazelnut Growth Cycle
The growth cycle of hazelnuts begins with flower clusters appearing in late winter or early spring, usually between February and March. After successful flower pollination, the nuts begin to develop. The developing mature nuts in the beginning of the fall period allow the tree to finish its growing and reproducing season before the colder winter months arrive. The tree will then be dormant until the next spring.
It takes about three to five years from planting until the trees are old enough to produce a harvest. While this may seem like a long time, other species can take even longer to produce. Pecans, for instance, begin producing at six to 10 years, and almonds can take up to 12 years to get a decent harvest.
Hazelnuts ripen from late September through October, depending on the species or cultivar. Nuts grow inside a husk and usually drop to the ground upon ripening. As nuts drop, they should be collected from the ground several times a week. This drop may not occur with seed-grown plants, in which case nuts should be handpicked after the surrounding husks have browned.
Once the papery outer covering starts pulling back from the nut, the hazels are safe to eat. However, since ready-to-eat nuts are tricky to track down, you can pick them when they’re green and leave them to ripen in a warm, dry, dark place. Remember to move them often and remove the hard outer shell before eating.
In general, expect your first crop of hazelnuts to be small. After a couple of seasons, the bounty will grow! A mature tree can produce 25 pounds of nuts in one season and will continue to produce for about 50 years.
Factors Affecting The Harvest Time
Several factors can affect the harvest time of hazelnuts. One of the most significant factors is the weather. Hazelnuts typically ripen in late summer to early fall, but the exact timing can vary depending on the weather conditions in your area. For example, if there is a hot and dry summer, the nuts may ripen earlier than usual.
Another factor that can affect the harvest time is the specific hazelnut variety. Different varieties of hazelnuts have different ripening times, so it’s essential to know the variety you are growing and its expected ripening time.
The age of the hazelnut bush is also a crucial factor. As mentioned earlier, hazelnut bushes usually start producing nuts in their fourth year, but they won’t reach full nut production until year nine or later. The older the bush, the more nuts it will produce, and the more likely they will ripen at a consistent time.
Lastly, animal predation can also affect the harvest time of hazelnuts. Squirrels and ruffed grouse are known to love hazelnuts and can cause significant losses to the crop if not harvested promptly. Therefore, it’s essential to keep an eye on your hazelnut bushes and harvest them as soon as they become loose in their husks.
Signs Of Maturity In Hazelnuts
To become edible for humans, hazelnuts need to reach full maturity and dry out a bit. One of the signs of maturity is when the papery outer covering starts pulling back from the nut. The hazelnuts should be harvested as soon as they become loose in their husks to avoid losses to animal predation.
Another sign of maturity is the color of the husk. If it’s still green and moist, the nuts need to post-ripen for a week or two in conditions of high humidity but with adequate light and air circulation. On the other hand, if the husks are starting to turn brown, they should be allowed to dry completely by spreading them out in a well-ventilated (but mouse-proof) location until completely dry.
It’s also important to note that climate and soil types influence the exact timing of the hazelnut harvest time. Poor soil and drought conditions can significantly alter when the hazelnuts are ready for picking. Therefore, it’s best to keep an eye on the falling nuts as once the first hazelnuts have dropped from the tree limbs, it is time to pick the remaining ones. However, it is good practice to check the first nuts that have fallen down; many of them may not be edible.
Protecting Hazelnuts From Animal Predation
One of the biggest threats to hazelnuts is animal predation, particularly by rodents like mice and voles. These small but destructive pests can tunnel around the base of trees and gnaw at the bark of trunks and roots, ultimately damaging or even killing young trees.
To protect your hazelnuts from animal predation, it’s important to take a few preventative measures. One option is to live trap and relocate rodents starting in June each year. This can be a time-consuming process but can significantly reduce the number of pests in your orchard.
Another option is to keep the area around your hazelnut bushes clean and free of grass, which can provide cover for rodents. You may also want to consider using rodent bait or bird poling to deter pests.
If you do experience damage from rodents, it’s important to act quickly. If a young tree has been girdled and killed, you can cut out the main trunk and let the suckers grow. Use suckers from the roots rather than side shoots from the trunk, as side shoots can grow into weak trees. Choose three or four of the most promising suckers and prune out all the rest. After the vigorous new suckers have grown for a while, choose the sturdiest one and train it as a new, young tree.
By taking these steps to protect your hazelnuts from animal predation, you can help ensure a successful harvest and healthy trees for years to come.
Tips For Harvesting Hazelnuts
1. Keep a close eye on ripening hazelnuts prior to harvest, checking frequently until they are ready to harvest. Hazelnuts are a preferred food source of squirrels, deer, turkey, woodpeckers, pheasants, grouse, quail and bluejays, so it’s important to beat the local wildlife to them.
2. Once the nuts have fallen from the trees, they can be picked off the shrub and collected from the ground. It’s recommended to place tarps under the trees to collect them once they fall or simply rake them into a pile.
3. Sticky bracts need to be removed before shelling hazelnuts for use. The easiest way to do this is by rubbing them together in a towel or by placing them in a bag and hitting them with a rolling pin.
4. Hazelnuts should be dried thoroughly in their brown hulls and stored in a cool dry place until they are used. This will help prevent mold and mildew from forming on the nuts.
5. If you’re foraging for hazelnuts, start scoping out for unripe nuts around Independence Day and start checking them toward the end of July and into August. Look for the nut sheath, called an involucre, to be mostly still green but with patches of color, ranging from rosy red to brown.
6. When harvesting hazelnuts, it’s best to err on the early side as nuts will continue to ripen off the tree if you have somewhere to air dry them. The nuts on some trees develop earlier than others which depends on their position and how much sun they get rather than the variety.
7. To avoid losses due to animal predation, it’s important to harvest hazelnuts as soon as they become loose in their husks. This may occur when the husks are still green and moist or when they are brown and dry.
By following these tips, you can ensure a successful hazelnut harvest and enjoy the delicious flavor of fresh hazelnuts in your recipes.
Storing And Using Fresh Hazelnuts.
After collecting the hazelnuts, it’s important to dry them for storage. The easiest way to do this is to wait until the clusters are dry before removing the nuts from the bracts. Spread them out in a single layer on trays or screens in a warm, dry place out of the sun. Turn them every few days until the outer bracts are easy to remove. This process usually takes about two to four weeks.
Once the hazelnuts are dry, they can be shelled or stored in the shells. If you want to speed up the drying process, you can use a dehydrator set to 90-105°F. In the shell, hazelnuts can be stored at room temperature for several months. However, if you’ve shelled them, make sure to eat them within a few weeks or store them in the refrigerator for up to a year.
To increase their shelf life, it’s best to wait and process hazelnuts just before use. Whether you’re using fresh or dried hazelnuts, it’s best to store them in a freezer or refrigerator. If refrigeration isn’t possible, you can store them in a cool room (55 degrees or lower). However, keep in mind that longevity is lower if they’re not refrigerated.
Hazelnuts can be used in a variety of ways, such as roasted and salted as a snack or added to salads, baked goods, and savory dishes. Hazelnut butter is also a popular alternative to peanut butter and can be used in sandwiches or as a dip for fruits and vegetables. With proper harvesting and storage techniques, you can enjoy the delicious taste of fresh hazelnuts all year round.