Country Life’s expert planting ready-to-eat gardener Mark Diacono shared his tips on how to grow a nut tree in your garden—or better yet, a whole nut tree.

“Among the hundreds of trees I planted, when I sat in the shade for the first time, nothing made me more happy than pecans,” wrote Marc Diacno, an expert on rural life. Experts in growing strange and wonderful plants in English country gardens. "It may not sound as compelling as eating the most juicy peaches or the most juicy apricots, but it brings a deep sense of connection."

On this page, Mark shared his tips on how to grow nut trees, discussed different nut tree varieties, which ones can work well according to your garden, and told some stories about the trees he knows and loves .

Sweet chestnuts that are about to blossom and bear fruit.

Among the hundreds of trees I planted, when I sat in the shade for the first time, nothing gave me more fun than pecans. This may not sound as compelling as eating the most juicy peaches or the most juicy apricots, but it brings a deep sense of connection.

I attribute that gloomy moment to 150 years of curious growers who gradually brought seedlings from the southern United States northward to a Canadian latitude similar to ours, adapted the trees and their seedlings to cool conditions, and gave me the opportunity to stay in Devon. Try them for inspiration. Given that pecans can live for 500 years, I have not forgotten that many offspring may enjoy similar moments. Planting an orchard is a gift for the future, but planting nuts—even planting a nut tree or two in your garden—is a further step.

It is fun in itself to consider what to choose. Even common nuts, such as walnuts and hazelnuts, are much better than store nuts, but please also consider more unusual nuts. I might urge you to choose walnuts, which are reminiscent of sweet, buttery walnuts, chinkapins, such as sweeter chestnuts and pouches, which are veritable fake pistachios. It is even better if you find a grower who will let you taste some before buying a tree.

Juglandaceae (Juglandaceae). Photo Credit: Nature Photographer Co. / Alamy Stock Photo

Although fruit trees can choose to dwarf rootstocks, nut trees are rarely very small. Pecans or walnuts can easily exceed 30 feet in height and spread in time. However, don't be put off: there are delicious small-scale options that require less than half of the choices, and some can self-reproduce and tolerate half-shade. Choose slowly, because the next few generations will curse you or cheer for you. Flavor, susceptibility to cracking and compatibility with your conditions are all important. In most cases, you need two to pollinate: Although most nuts produce male and female flowers, their timing is often not synchronized. Among the few people who are able to reproduce by themselves, most people produce more with their partners. Your supplier will provide advice.

With a few exceptions, adequate sunlight is essential. If your location has a certain latitude, remember that the afternoon sun is the most valuable, because warm temperatures will increase the efficiency of photosynthesis. Avoid bags of frost, especially for marginal nuts such as almonds, where frosting may be the biggest limiting factor for success.

Most nuts are pollinated by wind, and strong winds can wash away the pollen before pollination occurs. If planting more than a few, consider windbreaks: hedges reduce wind speed by about seven times. I like nitrogen-fixing agents, such as the Italian alder and Populus species: they grow fast, narrow (saving space), and provide food and shelter for nuts. Other choices include willow, cherry plum, sea buckthorn, blackthorn and hawthorn. With the right choice, your hedge can provide additional harvest, wildlife corridors and habitat, and attract beneficial insects to help your nuts thrive.

Soil fertility greatly affects the health and productivity of nuts. Even hazelnuts and lentils, which are not picky, produce higher yields in fertile soil. Most people prefer a neutral soil pH between 6 and 7; a test kit is provided. The least amount of money is worth it, because the medium to encourage this pleasure is easy to do-add lime to reduce acidity, and add compost to dilute alkalinity.

If you envision grazing or mowing among trees, nitrogen-fixing clover—especially the long-lasting red and white clover—are excellent; they make the soil fertile and attract beneficial insects. In the forest garden method, planting is based on natural woodland, from trees to shrubs and herb layers to ground cover; in the case of ornamental gardens, the opportunities for planting species that thrive in semi-shade are considerable.

Trim any grass or clover before harvest time. It can find fallen nuts more easily and put a blanket or bed sheet under the branches to catch the swayed nuts. I also recommend a nut wizard. Imagine a paint roller with a long handle, the head of which includes a wide oval curved wire. When this head rolls on the ground, the pressure separates the wires, enough to hold and trap the fallen nuts. This is a proper post-protection procedure.

Squirrels can be a serious trouble. There are few viable options-if you plant more than two trees, guns or squirrel traps are almost essential. You can choose to share some of your gains, but they can accept more than acceptable shares. For walnuts, one way to avoid this is to harvest them as early as possible before the shell is formed, such as green walnuts. Most of the Walnut Tree Company's crops do this. They are delicious marinated or infused with vodka to make Nosino.

Mark Diacono teaches us how to grow garlic.

Mark Diacono (Mark Diacono) tells us that his top salad will be grown with barbecue this summer.

Mark Diacono shared his important tips on how to grow white and red currants and which varieties to choose-and

Mark Diacono explains why peppermint is suitable for even the hopeless incompetent gardening enthusiasts.

Mark Diacono (Mark Diacono) will pick his favorite plums-and their close relatives, plums, Merabel, bull heads and gauges.

Mark Diacono shared his secret to the surprisingly simple but rewarding art of growing zucchini.

From making a delicious aperitif to enjoying the citrus aroma of the leaves, there are many reasons for planting

Mark Diacono (Mark Diacono) provided us with some good suggestions so that we can enjoy our favorite breakfast in any season.

Mark Diacono explained that it takes faith, patience and courage to grow plants dedicated to harvesting the roots, but it is well worth it.