– Garth Ruff, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, Henry County
Photo: CFAES, The Ohio State University
I’m not sure that picking walnuts is a popular throughout the state as it is in southern Ohio, but it is time for them to be falling from trees. If you want to harvest the nuts, you may allow the nuts to fully ripen and fall to the ground, or the nuts can be shaken from the tree when you can dent the hulls of several nuts on the tree with your thumb. Before gathering “wild” nuts, it is a good idea to crack a few to see if the kernels are full.
Hulling quickly after harvest is important because the stain in the walnut hull will go through the shell and discolor the kernels and make them strong tasting. There are many methods for hulling black walnuts. A hand operated corn sheller will work fine for small quantities. Nuts can also be pounded through a hole in the board. If all else fails put them in feed sacks and drive over them on the gravel driveway.
After hulling, wash nuts in a tub of water, deep enough for the good nuts to sink to the bottom. Floaters are generally not well-filled. To dry, place the walnuts in shallow layers (not more than three deep) in a shaded, cool, dry area with good air circulation. The best temperatures for drying and curing are 50-65 degrees. Drying takes about two weeks.