It’s walnut harvest time. Learn how to store them properly

If you look at a walnut tree, you’ll notice that many of the walnuts already have cracked green shells and are gradually emerging. Harvesting them is therefore essential. Traditionally, walnuts fully ripen now in early October, but they can be harvested without any major problems well into November. However, leaving fallen walnuts on the ground isn’t exactly the best idea. They often harbor all sorts of pathogens. So when should you harvest walnuts, and how can you store them effectively so they’ll last all winter without any problems?

When to harvest? The finger trick will help

We’ve already mentioned the cracking of the green husk that surrounds the nut itself. If it’s already cracked, of course, there’s no question about it—you can go ahead and start collecting the nuts. If that’s not the case. Simply press your finger against the husk to see if it’s soft or not. If the husk is hard, there’s no point in picking the nut—it’s better to wait a few more days. When the green husk is brittle enough, your fingerprint will remain imprinted on it.

Is it worth shaking the nuts off the tree?

If you want to harvest the nuts all at once, then definitely. However, many of them must already be cracked open and ripe for harvesting. You should spread a tarp under the tree so the nuts are easier to find and don’t get dirty. This also prevents the nuts from falling into various holes and hard-to-reach spots that might be difficult to access during harvesting.

Washing the nuts is not highly recommended

The harvested nuts may be dirty, so some gardeners resort to washing them in a tub of water. However, this method is definitely not ideal, as soaking prolongs the drying time of the nuts. It also increases the risk of mold growth.

Tip: Storing walnuts. Ways to keep them fresh as long as possible.

Photo: Pixabay

Wear rubber gloves when shelling walnuts

Definitely. We all surely remember our childhood, when our hands would turn completely brown from shelling walnuts and removing that green—or sometimes blackish—shell. The dirt will stay on the gloves, and your hands will stay clean.

Walnuts need to breathe when stored

This is fairly important advice. Ideally, place the walnuts directly into a breathable, perforated box, in a single layer. Let them dry in a dry place for a few weeks. After that, you can transfer them to deeper boxes, where they’ll be stored until ready for use.

Sources: Author, Meta, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/walnut-tree#4VMblnrWHOiequ3L3bLRX3,https://www.ireceptar.cz/zahrada/pomucka-na-sber-orechu-30001010.html

Photo and photogallery: Pixabay