This comprehensive book covers all aspects of growing, harvesting, processing and using nuts, based on forest gardening principles. Filled with gorgeous images of trees and nuts on the branch, as well as samples of nuts from different varieties, this book is essential reading for any nut-loving gardener. Nuts covered include old favourites such as chestnuts, hazelnuts and walnuts, as well as less common varieties such as pine nuts, hickories, butternuts and monkey puzzle nuts. Whether you are planning to grow nuts in your own yard, or even to grow commercially, this book is essential reading.
A beautifully presented, clear, comprehensive bible from the man who knows more than anyone about growing nuts Mark Diacono, gardener, food writer and broadcaster
How to Grow Your Own Nuts is the best guide I've seen to home and small-farm nut growing for the temperate climates, featuring species selection, cultivating, harvest, and processing. - Eric Toensmeier, permaculturist, author and Yale University lecturer
All who have room for a tree should grow nuts – serious nutrition with huge gastronomic potential. In yet another beautiful book, one of our most accomplished forest gardeners shows how. Colin Tudge, biologist, science writer and broadcaster, founder of The Campaign for Real Farming
Nuts - so delicious, nutritious and versatile - are at the heart of our culinary tradition and every page of this unique book is rich with the authenticity, passion and experience of a master grower. This practical and inspiring book is a comprehensive guide to growing, harvesting and processing nuts for the gardener, homesteader and commercial farmer. Filled with gorgeous illustrations of trees and nuts in all stages of maturity, it covers old favourites (hazelnuts and walnuts) and less common varieties (hickories and butternuts) too.
Martin’s earlier books on creating a forest garden, and growing perennial vegetables, are considered must-read "how to" handbooks. This will be, too.
Introduction
Part One Cultivating and processing nuts
Chapter 1 Growing nut trees
Chapter 2 Maintenance and propagation of nut trees
Chapter 3 Harvesting and processing nuts
Part TWO Nut trees A–Z
Almond (Prunus dulcis)
Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
Bladdernuts (Staphylea spp.)
Buartnut (Juglans x bixbyi)
Butternut (Juglans cinerea)
Chinkapin/Chinquapin (Castanea pumila)
Ginkgo/Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba)
Golden Chinkapins (Castenopsis spp.) (Chrysolepis spp.)
Hazelnut and Filbert (Corylus avellana, C. maxima)
Heartnut (Juglans ailantifolia var. cordiformis)
Hickories (Carya spp.)
Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana)
Oaks (Quercus spp.)
Pecan (Carya illinoensis)
Pines (Pinus spp.) Sweet Chestnut (Castanea spp.)
Trazels (Corlus spp.)
Walnut (Juglans regia)
Yellowhorn
Glossary
Appendix 1: Nutritional content of nuts
Appendix 2: Common and Latin names
Resources
Photo credits
Index
Martin Crawford is a one-man wonder! In this grand and beautiful book on nut culture he has assembled decades of practical insight to help gardeners and orchardists grow ‘bread from trees.’ From planting to harvesting, selection to storage, and pruning to pest control, you’ll find the answers here. Complete with a thorough and lovingly illustrated guide to 19 species of nuts for the temperate world, this book sets a new standard for a vital but little-known field. If we must transform our agriculture to build soil and store carbon, then nut trees belong in all our futures.—Peter Bane, author of The Permaculture Handbook
How to Grow Your Own Nuts is the best guide I've seen to home and small-farm nut growing for the temperate climates, featuring species selection, cultivating, harvest, and processing. It includes many lesser-known species alongside standards like walnut, chestnut, and hazel. This is an essential guide to production of these perennial staple crops. Eric Toensmeier, permaculturist, author and Yale University lecturer
A beautifully presented, clear, comprehensive bible from the man who knows more than anyone about growing nuts in the UK. Full of inspiration and information. It’s a great book.
- Mark Diacono, gardener, food writer and broadcaster
All who have room for a tree should grow nuts – serious nutrition with huge gastronomic potential. In yet another beautiful book, one of our most accomplished forest gardeners shows how. Colin Tudge, biologist, science writer and broadcaster, founder of The Campaign for Real Farming
“Martin is a true pioneer and his work deserves respect and celebration.” - Permaculture Magazine
“Martin Crawford is a frontiersman, a pioneering teacher and an inspiration. Both his work and his garden are national treasures.” - Chris Nichols, Director of the Ashridge MSc in Sustainability and Responsibility.
Martin Crawford is a garden writer and founder of the Agroforestry Research Trust. He teaches courses on Forest Gardening and Growing Nut Crops. His book Creating a Forest Garden – is considered the forest gardening ‘bible’ and his How to Grow Perennial Vegetables, is highly popular among practical gardeners.