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Black walnuts have a distinctively robust and earthy flavor, best described as slightly bitter with a hint of sweetness. They can be eaten raw as a snack or added to baked goods and cooked dishes. These delicious nuts are an excellent source of plant-based protein, so don’t miss out on this beneficial harvest from your black walnut trees!
Black walnuts are typically harvested from late September through October, depending on your region and local climate.
Harvesting black walnuts involves several steps to ensure you gather the nuts at their peak and process them properly. Here’s our guide to gathering black walnuts while they are at their best.
1. Right Timing
Black walnuts ripen and fall from the tree in late summer to early fall when the hulls (outer casing) turn from green to yellowish-green or brownish-black. This is the perfect time to harvest.
2. Gather Black Walnuts When Ready
Black walnut hulls can stain your hands, so wear gloves and use a bucket when gathering fallen nuts. Pick fallen nuts from the ground, discarding any that are moldy or damaged. Ripe nuts should fall naturally from the tree, but a gentle shake of the branches will maximize your harvest.
3. Remove the Hulls
Now for the tricky bit! Black walnuts have a thick, fleshy hull that needs to be removed before storing or processing the nuts. Black walnut hulls can be cracked by stamping on them, hitting them with a rubber mallet, or even driving over them with a vehicle (yes, they are that tough!).
Once cracked, peel away the hulls from the inner nut, remembering to wear gloves. The hulls contain high levels of juglone, so they should be burned or thrown in the trash rather than added to the compost pile.
4. Clean Black Walnuts
Once the hulls have been removed, rinse the nuts with water to remove any remaining debris or residue. Use a stiff brush or scrubbing pad to thoroughly clean the nuts.
5. Drying Walnuts
Air dry the cleaned nuts in a well-ventilated area for several weeks. Spread them out in a single layer on a screen or wire mesh to ensure even airflow around each nut. The nuts are dry when the shells become hard and no longer feel soft or pliable.
6. Crack the Shells
Black walnut shells are notoriously hard, so cracking them can be challenging. Use a heavy-duty nutcracker or a hammer and a sturdy surface to crack the shells open, taking care not to damage the nut meats inside.
7. Extract the Black Walnuts
Once the shells are cracked, gently prize them open and pick out the nuts.
8. Store Them
Once harvested and dried, black walnuts can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. However, the flavor deteriorates over time, and the food can become rancid and sometimes even get mold. An alternative is to store black walnuts in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life or in the freezer until needed.
