3 Nuts You Can Grow in Your Garden
Nuts are a delicious high-protein snack and can also be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes, but they can be pricey and quality can vary when purchased pre-packaged. You may be surprised to learn that there are several varieties of nuts that can be grown in your garden without much effort on your part. Although nut trees can exceed 30 metres in height, dwarf varieties, which reach between 3 metres and 6 metres, are widely available from nurseries and can be pruned to suit the growing space you have available. Here are 3 nuts you can grow in your garden:
Pistachios
Pistachios grow on shrubby trees that reach a maximum of 5 metres in height at maturity, so they're ideal for small gardens. They are dioecious, meaning they do not self-pollinate, so you will need two trees planted close together to ensure they produce a crop. Pistachio trees are hardy and cope with heat and cold well. They have a long taproot, so they do need deep soil, but they tend to thrive regardless of soil quality, which makes them an ideal choice for those with sandy or clay-based soil that isn't ideal for several plants or tree varieties.
Macadamias
Macadamias are native to Australia, so they are naturally a good choice for your garden. Dwarf varieties grow to around 8 metres in height and are most suited to temperate areas with exposure to no more than a light frost. Young trees require protection from the wind until the roots are established, and your macadamia tree should be planted in an area that receives the most sun throughout the day. These trees thrive in well-drained soil that is kept moist and they benefit from having a layer of compost or mulch around the perimeter of the trunk to add nutrients to the soil and prevent it drying out during the hot summer months.
Almonds
Dwarf almond trees reach a maximum of 3 metres in height and self-fertile varieties are available. Throughout winter they produce stunning pink or white blooms that add beauty to your garden, and these trees will grow well in hot or cold weather conditions as long as they are not exposed to strong winds. Almond trees need to be watered well throughout the growing season to prevent their roots from drying out, but you should ensure the soil does not become waterlogged.
Having your own nut trees in your back garden can be a low effort and cost-effective way to enjoy nuts. The trees don't require a lot of care, but they should be pruned each year to stimulate new growth. Pruning can also be used to control the width of the trees, which can allow you to fit more into a smaller area. If you don't want to give pruning a go yourself, you can have a tree company come once a year to prune your trees.
If you're thinking of adding several nut trees to your garden, ask a local wholesale nursery about their discount options, as many companies offer reduced pricing when as few as 3 trees are purchased in one transaction. This helps keep the cost down for you and ensure the nursery can move stock quickly before quality is compromised.