How To Pick Up Black Walnuts

You can pick up black walnuts by waiting for them to fall naturally from the tree and then collecting them before they get too old.
 
The best time to pick up black walnuts is in the fall when the green husks start turning yellow and the nuts begin dropping to the ground.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to pick up black walnuts properly, it’s really about timing and technique.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to pick up black walnuts, how to remove the husks, and how to prepare them for storage.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

When to Pick Up Black Walnuts

Knowing the right time to pick up black walnuts makes the whole process much easier.
 
Here’s what you need to look for:
 

1. Wait for the Natural Drop

Black walnuts fall from the tree when they’re ready.
 
You don’t need to shake the branches or climb up to pick up black walnuts.
 
Mother Nature does the hard part for you.
 
Once the nuts start dropping in late September through October, that’s your signal to start checking the ground daily.
 

2. Look for Yellow-Green Husks

When you pick up black walnuts, the husks should be transitioning from bright green to a yellowish-green color.
 
This color change means the nuts inside are maturing.
 
If the husks are still solid green, they probably fell early and the nut inside might not be fully developed.
 

3. Beat the Squirrels to Them

If you want to pick up black walnuts before the wildlife gets them, you need to be quick.
 
Squirrels and deer love black walnuts just as much as you do.
 
Check your yard or foraging spot every morning during peak season.
 
The sooner you pick up black walnuts after they fall, the better your harvest will be.
 

How to Pick Up Black Walnuts the Right Way

When you pick up black walnuts, the method matters more than you might think.
 
Here’s how to do it without staining your hands or hurting your back:
 

1. Wear Gloves

Before you pick up black walnuts, grab a pair of heavy-duty rubber or nitrile gloves.
 
The husks contain juglone, a compound that stains everything it touches.
 
Your hands will turn yellow-brown for weeks if you pick up black walnuts barehanded.
 
Trust me on this one.
 

2. Use a Bucket or Basket

Grab a sturdy bucket or a mesh bag to collect your harvest.
 
As you pick up black walnuts, drop them straight into your container so you’re not making multiple trips.
 
A five-gallon bucket works great for this.
 

3. Pick Them Up Promptly

The longer black walnuts sit on the ground, the more likely they are to get moldy or infested with worms.
 
When you pick up black walnuts within a day or two of falling, you get the best quality nuts.
 
If you can’t process them right away, store them in a cool, dry spot for a few days.
 

4. Avoid Nuts with Holes

As you pick up black walnuts, inspect each one quickly.
 
If you see small holes in the husk, toss those aside.
 
That’s a sign of insect damage and those nuts won’t be worth keeping.
 

What to Do After You Pick Up Black Walnuts

Once you pick up black walnuts, the real work begins.
 
Here’s how to go from freshly fallen nuts to ready-to-eat treats:
 

1. Remove the Husks

After you pick up black walnuts, you need to remove the husks fairly quickly.
 
You can do this by stomping on them with boots, running them through a corn sheller, or just twisting them off by hand with gloves on.
 
Do this outside because the staining and the mess are no joke.
 

2. Wash and Dry

Once the husks are off, hose down the nuts to remove any remaining pulp.
 
Then spread them out in a single layer somewhere with good airflow.
 
Let them cure for two to four weeks until the shells are hard and dry.
 

3. Store Them Properly

After curing, store your black walnuts in mesh bags or breathable containers.
 
Keep them in a cool, dry place and they’ll last for months.
 
You can also crack them and freeze the nutmeats for even longer storage.
 

So, How Do You Pick Up Black Walnuts?

You pick up black walnuts by waiting for them to fall naturally in the fall, collecting them promptly with gloved hands, and processing them right away.
 
The whole process isn’t complicated but it does take some patience and a little elbow grease.
 
Now that you know how to pick up black walnuts and what to do with them afterward, you’re ready to make the most of this year’s harvest.
 
Happy foraging.