Drew and Alan Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Hi everyone! Alan and I have 2 big old walnut trees in our garden and they are currently covered in big green walnuts so we were wondering (in other words, hoping!) if anyone knows when is the best time to pick them and then what to do to them so that they are ready to eat or store! we have looked on the net and have come up with a load of differing opinions which has just left us confused! some have said to pick them green then dry them in the sun before taking the papery skin off the shells others has said to pick them off the trees when they are going brown, and then dry them, whilst others have said to leave them drop off the trees before you collect them! an interent friend said to eat them whilst they are green, which we did and euww!! not nice! they were fully formed inside but still soft and very un walnut like cant bear to waste all of these nuts as we really do want to pick and eat them... (but if someone does want to pick them for us instead that would be even better ) thanks for any advice!!!!! a slightly confused but hopeful Drew & Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 No idea but love the idea of having a walnut tree . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 I believe that if you want to pickle them, you need them green. An acquired taste maybe, but have you seen the price of pickled walnuts? I love 'em, so that would be my preferred route! Recipe here ... oh, hang on, it says pick before the end of June! Ok, maybe that's one for next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Yes, too late for green walnuts. You pick them before the shells form and either pickle them ( ) or make wine or liqueur with them. We've just bottled the Nocino I made and I think Poet is making the wine from hers? The best time - I think - to pick them is when they start to drop from the tree. You should be able to get the outer green/brown skin off and be left with the walnut in its shell. Check a few to make sure they're ready and then pick others. They should be ready around now. There is another thread on walnuts somewhere - it has recipes for green walnuts...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 we have a walnut tree and anyone would be welcome to it as we want it gone but it has a TPO on it as not many in the area. I collect them off the floor before if I can get them before the squirells and my dad eats them. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 My neighbour has two trees and we get bags full of mud oh and walnuts too they are fine like this. They are really expensive trees to buy and I have a sapling(rescued from Spaniel once) you are really lucky. I will ask her what she does with them..I just know they are muddy when we get them! indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 if anyone ever in the area they are welcome to come and pick away! Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 We have a huge tree too this year the squirells are a bit later in taking them,they usually sit in the tree laughing at me as I get really miffed at the bottom of the trunk Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 I've got one in a very very large plant pot as I can't decide where to put it yet. It's a cutting I was given three years ago when it was about 6 inches tall and it's now about 4 feet high and looks very attractive. I gather that walnut trees poison the soil around them so that's one reason I can't decide where it should go. I'm guessing I can leave it another year before it begins to be pot bound. But then I don't think it fruits until it's 10 years old? Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew and Alan Posted September 13, 2009 Author Share Posted September 13, 2009 hi and thanks everyone! i think we will wait till they start to drop before we 'harvest' the nuts. dont really have a problem with squirells so the nuts are all ours!!! seen a few wood peckers in the trees however! dont know if they are after the nuts? have never heard about walnut trees poisoning the soil and everything around ours seems to be growing well, we have damson trees and apple trees next to them and they are growing strongl! we've got some hazel nut trees growing in the garden too, will have to see how those are doing! just never seem to have enough time!! thanks again Drew and Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
