Walnut trees are a backyard favorite, mostly because there’s nothing quite like harvesting your own delicious, healthy homegrown walnuts. If you’re thinking about adding one to your landscape, I’ve got you covered. Here is the lowdown on how to plant your walnut tree the right way and what you need to keep in mind to ensure it thrives.
The Best Time to Plant Your Walnut Tree
Technically, you can plant a walnut tree year-round, but you have to be careful. Young shoots, leaves, and flower buds are super sensitive to the cold. To avoid nasty frost damage, try not to plant right before the first hard freeze in the fall or just before those late spring frosts hit.
The two “sweet spots” for planting are:
- Mid-April (Spring)
- September or October (Fall)
Planting in the Spring
If you’re aiming for a spring planting, mid-April is usually your best bet. Once the threat of overnight ground frost has passed, the soil temperature is usually just right. Just a heads-up: don’t jump the gun! If a late frost hits those brand-new buds and shoots, it can cause permanent damage.
Planting in the Fall
Planting in the fall actually has a pretty big advantage over spring. It gives the tree plenty of time to establish fine new roots before the ground freezes solid for the winter. These roots are key for water uptake, giving the tree a massive head start when it’s time to wake up and grow in the spring.
Just keep an eye on the thermometer. You want to get the tree in the ground while the soil is still holding some summer warmth. Avoid planting in soil that is already cold or frozen.
Finding the Perfect Spot
You’ll want to pick the right location from the get-go. Walnut trees love sunshine and prefer a bright, sunny spot. They can handle partial shade, but stay away from full shade—it’ll stunt the tree’s growth and leave you with a pretty disappointing harvest.
The good news is that walnut trees aren’t too picky about soil; those thick, strong roots can push through almost anything. However, they really thrive in loose, slightly sandy soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. Alkaline soil is usually fine, too. Just try to avoid soil that is *too* sandy or overly wet. Walnut trees are definitely not fans of “wet feet” (standing water).
Give Your Tree Some Elbow Room
When picking a spot, don’t underestimate how big these beauties get! The amount of space you need depends on the variety you’re planting.
If you have a non-grafted seedling, plan for a massive 50 x 50 foot area (about 15×15 meters). These varieties tend to grow very wide and need a lot of room to spread their wings.
Grafted varieties usually grow more upright and stay a bit narrower. For these, you’ll want to clear a radius of about 30 to 40 feet (10–12 meters).
Mind the Neighbors (and the Garage!)
Because walnut trees develop massive canopies and incredibly powerful roots, you need to keep them a safe distance from buildings and other plants to prevent foundation damage. Here are some good rules of thumb:
- 30 to 50 feet away from other fruit trees.
- At least 25 feet away from garages, houses, and walls.
- At least 25 feet away from your property line.
How to Plant Your Walnut Tree
Ready to get digging? Here’s your step-by-step guide:
- Dig a hole that’s plenty big—at least 20 inches deep and about 30 to 40 inches wide.
- Use your spade to loosen up the soil at the bottom and sides of the hole so the roots can penetrate easily.
- Young trees need a nutrient boost while they’re getting established. Mix some well-aged compost or a slow-release fertilizer into the soil you dug out.
- Place your young tree in the hole, fill it back up with your soil mix, and gently tamp it down with your foot.
- Give it a deep soak immediately. Keep the soil consistently moist for the first few weeks, but again, make sure it’s not sitting in a puddle.
- To help your tree grow straight and stay stable, use a sturdy wooden stake (about 5 feet long). Drive it about 2 feet into the ground right next to the planting hole and secure the tree to it.
Transplanting a Walnut Tree
If you pick the right spot now, you can usually avoid the headache of transplanting your walnut tree later. Trust me—it’s much easier to do it right the first time!
