Nuts for Orange County
Our climate is fine for decent crops of almonds, pine nuts, and macadamias.
We are a bit too warm in the winter months to grow most chestnuts, filberts, hazelnuts, and most walnuts. We have too short of a summer to grow most pecans, peanuts and pistachios. We have too cool of a winter to grow cashews.
There is a lot of genetic variability among all plants and we are constantly discovering more varieties of nuts that will produce well locally.
Chestnuts may also do well in Orange County, however they require cross-pollination, lots of room and lots of relatively salt-free water.
Almonds are reliable producers in all areas of Orange County, however, inland heat produces the best quality nuts. The fruit of the almond looks like a leathery flat green peach. The hull splits open at harvest time to reveal the pit inside. Harvest late summer. Production starts the second year. Almonds require well-drained soil. Almonds require less water than most nut trees. At the moment we are concerned about a new pest which can spread a disease fatal to almonds.
Macadamia Nuts
are reliable producers in all areas of Orange County. The trees love coastal conditions and perform best within 20 miles of the coast. These evergreen trees grow 15-25 feet tall and 15 feet wide. The densely set leathery leaves are somewhat spiny. The tiny, but wonderfully fragrant flowers are arranged in hanging clusters. Heaviest bloom occurs in spring. Nuts hang in clusters and ripen mainly in fall. Heavy bearing begins within 5 years and requires ample moisture. Avoid using chemical fertilizers. Do not amend the soil with organic mulches. Macadamias are native to soils of low fertility and burn easily if over nurished.
When the nuts fall remove the green husks immediately. Allow the shells to dry in the sun for several days, or place them 1 layer deep in a tray and leave in a warm dry location for several weeks. When the kernals rattle around in the shell it is time to crack the shell open. There are expensive macadamia nut extracting tools, however we do just fine with 17 inch pliers. Set the jaws so that they close down to about 1/2 inch, so that the nut meat is not damaged. The nuts can be roasted, but taste wonderful raw.
(Macadamia integrifolia X M. tetraphylla) This hybrid has very glossy foliage than is sometimes spiny and sometimes smooth; sometimes arranged in whorls of 3, or whorls of 4. It is highly ornamental and more tolerant of different soils. The flowers are a creamy pink color. The nut size varies from small to large and has a shell of medium thickness. Heaviest nut fall in winter, but some nuts ripen year round.
(M. tetraphylla) Large nuts with a relatively thin shell. Shell thickness is similar to pecans. Nuts ripen in fall. Flowers are creamy yellow. Foliage is gray-green.
(M. tetraphylla) Similar to Cate, but the extremely tasty nuts have a defective shell that is even easier to crack. This variety is very difficult to acquire.
Pecans are more reliable in inland areas with long hot summers. Pecans require ample water and well-drained soil with low salinity. Mulch deeply. Pecans growing near the coast may never develop large nut meats. Pecans are graceful deciduous trees of very good ornamental value. They can reach 70 feet tall and 50 feet wide. Typically, significant crops begin in 5-8 years. Harvest in mid fall.
Medium size, thin-shelled nuts of good quality. The variety is self-fertile and starts bearing fairly young. It is more tolerant of our climate and soils and has produced well in the local area.
Walnuts are only reliable in Orange County if the correct varieties are planted. The tree is large and can reach 60 feet tall. The ornamental value is fair, and many other plants die when planted in its rootzone, especially tomatoes and azaleas. The soil should be slightly acidic and well-drained. Average water is required for best nut quality. Do not plant near driveway or pavement since walnuts get aphids that drip honeydew. Walnuts are self-fertile. Heavy bearing begins within 5-10 years. Harvest in early to mid fall.
This is a good quality nut and one of the few that will produce in Orange County. It is an English Walnut that originated in Placentia, a local city.
Pistachios will not produce reliably in most, if not all, areas of Orange County, however, so many gardeners are trying them, we have decided to provide the plants and relevant information. Sexes are separate and both male and female trees are needed to get fruit. Pistachio trees are deciduous. They wake up and bloom by mid-spring. The trees grow at a slow to moderate rate to 25 feet tall and wide. Their ornamental value is good. The nuts are harvested in early fall. The trees require well-drained soil and low to moderate irrigation. Pistachios perform best in the low desert areas and the Central Valley of California.
The most popular female variety
The most popular male variety