Are you a fan of hazelnuts?
Did you know that you can actually grow your own hazelnut trees from store-bought nuts?
It may sound like a daunting task, but with the right instructions and patience, you can have your own nut trees in your backyard.
In this article, we will explore the process of growing hazelnuts from store-bought nuts, including planting instructions and tips on when to expect results.
So, if you’re ready to embark on a long-term project and enjoy the fruits (or nuts) of your labor, keep reading!
Will Store Bought Hazelnuts Grow
The short answer is yes, store-bought hazelnuts can grow into nut trees. However, it is important to note that growing nut trees from store-bought nuts is not a short-term project. It can take several years, even decades, for the trees to mature and start producing fruit.
Choosing The Right Hazelnuts
When choosing hazelnuts to grow, it is important to consider the variety and compatibility for pollination. American hazelnuts are self-pollinating, while European hazelnuts require cross-pollination with another variety. It is recommended to plant at least two different varieties of European hazelnuts to ensure successful pollination and higher yields.
Additionally, it is important to choose high-quality nuts that have not been roasted or salted. Roasting can damage the embryo inside the nut, making it less likely to germinate. Salt can also inhibit germination and growth.
When planting store-bought hazelnuts, it is recommended to soak them in water for 24 hours before planting to help soften the shell and increase the chances of germination. Plant the nuts in well-draining soil, with the pointed end facing down and the flat end facing up. Cover with 1-2 inches of soil and water thoroughly.
It is important to note that not all store-bought hazelnuts will germinate and grow into healthy trees. Some nuts may be too old or damaged to sprout, while others may not be a suitable variety for your climate or soil conditions. Patience and persistence are key when growing hazelnuts from store-bought nuts, as it may take several attempts before finding success.
Preparing The Nuts For Planting
Before planting hazelnuts, it is important to properly prepare them to increase the chances of successful germination. The first step is to select high-quality hazelnuts that are free from cracks or damage. It is also recommended to choose nuts from a reputable source, such as a farmer’s market or a nursery, to ensure that they are fresh and viable.
Once you have selected your hazelnuts, the next step is to prepare them for planting. This involves a process called stratification, which imitates the natural conditions that hazelnuts require for germination. To stratify hazelnuts, place them in a plastic bag with some moist peat moss or vermiculite. Seal the bag and store it in the refrigerator for 60-90 days. During this time, the nuts will experience a period of cold and moist conditions that will stimulate germination.
After stratification, it is time to plant the hazelnuts. Choose a location with full sun or partial shade if you live in a hot and dry climate. Hazelnuts need at least four hours of direct sunlight per day for good nut production. Make sure to space your plants appropriately, giving them about 15 to 20 feet of space to spread out.
To plant the nuts, dig a hole that is twice as wide and as deep as the nut itself. Place the nut in the hole with the pointy end facing up and cover it with soil. Water the area thoroughly and keep it moist but not waterlogged. It can take several months for the nuts to germinate, so be patient.
Planting Hazelnuts: Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re ready to take on the challenge of growing hazelnut trees from store-bought nuts, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Gather your materials: You’ll need hazelnuts, pots, soil, horticultural grit, netting, and wire mesh.
2. Germinate the seeds: Check the hazelnuts for signs of germination at the end of February. Once they’re ready, sow them in pots by placing two seeds about 2-3cm deep, firming and watering them. Keep the pots moist. Alternatively, you can broadcast the seeds in seedbeds, aiming for about 400 “sinkers” per square meter.
3. Protect the seeds: Hazelnuts are a favorite food of mice, jays, and pheasants. To protect your seeds from these animals, cover your beds with netting and your pots with wire mesh.
4. Transplant the seedlings: Once the hazelnut seedlings have acclimated to full sun for two weeks in early autumn, transplant them into a permanent bed with moist, acid soil. Make sure to grow them under light shade and shelter them from strong winds.
5. Provide proper care: Hazelnuts like a moist but free-draining soil in a bright, sunny situation. Water them regularly and fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer in early spring and midsummer. Prune them in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or diseased wood.
6. Be patient: Growing hazelnut trees from store-bought nuts is a long-term project that requires patience and dedication. It may take several years, even decades, for the trees to mature and start producing fruit.
By following these steps and providing proper care, you can successfully grow hazelnut trees from store-bought nuts. With a little patience and dedication, you’ll soon be enjoying the delicious and nutritious fruits of your labor.
Caring For Hazelnut Trees: Watering, Fertilizing, And Pruning
Growing hazelnut trees can be a rewarding experience, but it also requires proper care and maintenance. Here are some tips for watering, fertilizing, and pruning your hazelnut trees:
Watering: Hazelnut trees prefer moist, well-drained soils, but can tolerate wet soils better than overly dry ones. It is important to water them regularly with at least 1 inch of water every 10 days. During periods of drought, you may need to water them more frequently. Be sure to water the trees deeply to encourage deep root growth.
Fertilizing: Fertilization should be light and should take place in the spring after leaves have bushed out and filled in the trees – and well after pollination. You can use granular, liquid, or stake type fertilizers. Granular types should be worked into the soil around the plant at a rate of 2 pounds or 2 pints per 100 square feet of planting bed. Liquid fertilizers (such as Miracle Gro) are mixed with water and applied the same as you would water the plant. This should be done three or four times per year starting in late April and ending in mid July. Stake type fertilizers can be used following the directions on the package. Organic fertilizers, like manure, can also be used with good results.
Pruning: Hazelnut trees can be shaped into shrubs or trees, depending on your preference and available space. If growing as a shrub, they don’t require much pruning, other than removing the suckers that grow out of the base of the plant in the spring. This helps to focus the plant’s energy on the main stem. If shaping into a tree, remove the lower and hanging branches, keeping three to five stems at the top of the main “trunk” or leader. During the winter in the first season of growth when the plant is still dormant, select a few of the strongest, largest, most evenly-spaced branches. Prune off all other branches and cut back any other suckers at the base. Continue to remove other new branches each year in late winter or spring for the next few seasons until the leader branch has grown to a reasonable height. Regular pruning will promote bushy growth and remove suckers that may crop up from the base of the plant.
Common Hazelnut Tree Diseases And Pests To Watch Out For
Growing hazelnut trees can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to be aware of the potential diseases and pests that can affect your trees. Here are some common hazelnut tree diseases and pests to watch out for:
1. Eastern Filbert Blight: This fungal disease is the most significant threat to hazelnut trees in North America. It causes raised cankers on twigs, which quickly kill branches and eventually the entire tree. The best way to prevent this disease is to plant resistant hazelnut varieties.
2. Bacterial Blight: This disease causes branch dieback and involves necrosis instead of cankers at first. The inner tissue of branches will rot out from a reddish lesion that can eventually cause cankers on other parts of the tree. Copper bactericides applied in spray form after harvest and before fall rains two times per year can control it.
3. Root Rot: Hazelnut trees are susceptible to fungal root rot when the ground has been wet for too long. Ensuring your tree has good drainage around it will prevent most forms of root rot. A few root rot types can be prevented with a biological fungicide that uses microbial life to eliminate fungal causes.
4. Nut Weevils: These small brown beetles attack and damage the kernels during their development stage. Look out for tiny holes on the side of the nut. To control this, spray insecticide during spring and collect all fallen fruits to avoid them escaping into the soil and reappearing in the spring to lay eggs in your hazelnuts.
5. Filbert Worm: These pests cause similar damage as nut weevils and are controlled in the same way.
6. European Filbert Blight: This fungus causes branches to wither and cause the leaves to fall off. In July or August, bumps form on the twigs that rupture into fungal spores that eventually lead to the tree dying. You can control the fungus by applying organic antifungal application four times a year.
7. Tent Caterpillar: These pests affect many trees, including the hazelnut plant. You can spot them by seeing any large egg masses deposited on twigs. Spraying them off with a strong stream of water or raking them up and disposing of them can control these pests.
8. Hazelnut Aphids: These insects feed on the leaves and husks of the plant, causing a reduction in the fill and size of the nut. If you notice that the infestation is light, steaming will get rid of the insects.
9. Hazelnut Mosaic: This virus causes the leaves to become yellow in color and reduces yields. By using thermotherapy, you will have managed the spread of the virus.
It’s important to note that resistant varieties are less likely to be susceptible to these diseases and pests. When deciding on what to grow, consider the pests in your area and select a variety that is resistant. Proper care, including good drainage and regular maintenance, can also help prevent these issues from affecting your hazelnut trees.
Harvesting Hazelnuts: When To Expect Results
When it comes to harvesting hazelnuts, patience is key. Hazelnut bushes typically produce their first nuts in their fourth year, but it can take up to nine or more years for them to reach full nut production. It’s important to note that the first crop will likely be small, but it will increase over time.
Hazelnuts are usually harvested from late August through October when they have fallen from the trees. Nuts should be harvested as soon as they become loose in their husks to avoid losses to animal predation. If clusters can be pulled from the bushes easily, they are ready to harvest.
If the husks are 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, hanging them in mesh onion bags, until completely dry.
Once the nuts turn brown and begin to drop from the tree, it is time to pick them. A mature hazelnut tree can produce up to 25 pounds of nuts in one season and will continue to produce for about 50 years. It’s important to gather fallen nuts frequently to prevent mold, discoloration, and decay.
In conclusion, growing hazelnuts from store-bought nuts is possible, but it requires patience and a long-term commitment. Expect your first crop to be small and wait several years for the trees to reach full nut production. However, the results are worth it as a mature hazelnut tree can produce a bountiful harvest for many years.