Nut Production

NUT PRODUCTION HOME STUDY COURSE

Learn how to Grow Nuts: A correspondence course for the enthusiast or commercial grower.

Gain a sound foundation for growing a wide variety of nuts, particularly in temperate climates. This course also provides opportunities for you to focus more on types of nuts that are of greater interest and relevance to you.

Nuts have some distinct advantages over other crops:

• Long shelf life (so you don't need to sell them quickly) or use costly storage or processing to extend the marketing period
• High in protein - nutritionally intensive foods

A detailed study on nut growing with the opportunity to specialise, to some degree, according to your interests.

Nuts can be grown in most parts of the world - there are species suited to a variety of climates.

Nuts are an exceptionally valuable food crop that can be harvested and stored for long periods and can also be processed into a variety of products. These characteristics make them particularly useful for commercial growers, for the home gardener, or those striving towards self sufficiency.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • What is a Nut
   • Identifying Plants Accurately
   • Classification of Nuts into their Plant Families
   • Juglanaceae,
   • Coylaceae,
   • Fagaceae,
   • Burseraceae,
   • Lecthidaceae
   • Sterculiaceae
   • Rosaceae
   • Pinaceae
   • Anacardiaceae, etc
   • Review of Botany of Nuts: flowers and fruit development
   • Resources
2. The Most Commonly Grown Varieties
   • Overview of Nut Culture
   • Comparing most common nuts
   • Terminology
   • Almond
   • American Hazlenut
   • Cashew
   • Peanut
   • Walnut
   • Macadamia
3. Culture of Nuts
   • Site Selection and Management
   • Soils
   • Soil Testing
   • Water Management
   • Nutrition and Feeding
   • Plant Health: pest and disease, protection from wind, salt, air, etc
   • Common problems with different types of nuts
   • Planting
   • Terminology
   • Weed Management
   • Pruning
4. Less Common Nuts
   • Pecan
   • Pistacio
   • Pine Nuts
   • Auraucaria
   • Chestnut
   • Filbert
   • Brazil Nut
   • Beech
   • Oak
   • Sunflower
   • Pili Nut
   • Cola Nut
   • Cocao
   • Hausa Groundnut
   • Acacia, and more
5. Propagation
   • Seed Propagation of Nuts
   • Cuttings
   • Layering
   • Grafting
   • Propagating Corylus
   • Propagating Pinus
   • Propagating aids and structures
6. Harvest and Post-harvest of Nuts.
   • Harvesting
   • Cleaning, Cracking and Shelling
   • Drying and Storage
   • Handling Almonds
   • Cashews
   • Chestnuts
   • Pine nuts
   • Walnuts
   • Hazlenuts
   • Pistacios
7. Marketing Nuts
   • Overview
   • Where to sell nuts
   • Marketing Processes
   • Market Research
   • Uses of Nuts: Food and other uses
8. Workplace Health, Safety and Risk Management
   • Duty of Care
   • Risk Assessment in a Horticultural Enterprise
   • Financial Risks
   • Keeping the Workplace Safe
   • Protective Clothing
   • Equipment Safety (Tools and Machinery)
   • Safety with Manual Handling and lifting
9. Special Assignment
   • PBL Project Develop a plan for growing selected varieties of nuts in a specific location

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Identify different nut crop varieties.
  • Determine the cultivation practices appropriate to a range of different nut crops.
  • Determine how to propagate a range of different nut plants.
  • Determine appropriate techniques for harvesting a nut crop.
  • Specify an appropriate post-harvest treatment for a nut crop.
  • Develop marketing strategies for nuts.

What You Will Do

• Distinguish between common and scientific perceptions of the term nut.
• Compare the botanical characteristics of the fruits from different nut genera.
• Describe the botanical classification of different species of nut plants, including where appropriate, botanical interrelationships.
• Prepare plant reviews of different nut varieties, including the following details on each plant:
  • Plant names (Common and scientific)
  • A photo, illustration or pressed specimen
  • Cultural details
  • Harvest & Post-harvest
  • Uses (eg. valuable products).
• Develop a resource file of fitems of information relevant to the nut growing industry, including:
  • Suppliers of nut plants
  • Trade or grower associations
  • Publications
• Perform simple tests on different soils to determine:
  • Soil type
  • pH
  • Drainage
  • Water holding capacity
• Evaluate different soils tested in 2.1 to determine nut varieties suitable for growing in each.
• Explain soil management requirements for different nut varieties, including:
  • Nutrition
  • Soil structure
  • Physical attributes
• Explain the control of different pests and diseases on ten different nut varieties.
• Develop guidelines for the culture of a specified variety of nut, in your locality, including:
  • Watering
  • Weed control
  • Soil management
  • Fertilising
  • Pest control
  • Disease control
• Prepare a twelve month plan for cultural practices on a specified nut plantation.
• Explain different methods of propagating different nut species, including:
  • Seed
  • Grafting
  • Layering
  • Cuttings
• Determine propagation methods for fifteen different nut species, including where applicable, rootstock variety names.
• Demonstrate how to prepare cuttings for two different nut species.
• Demonstrate three different types of grafts, suitable for propagating nut varieties.
• Determine seed germination procedures for ten different nut genera.
• Prepare a production schedule, for nursery production of a specified type of nut.
• Propagate different nut plant varieties.
• Explain the operation of a mechanical harvester which can be used for nuts.
• Determine when to harvest different specified nut species.
• Compare the efficiency of four different techniques for harvesting nuts.
• Describe two different storage techniques for a specified nut variety.
• Determine the optimum environmental conditions for the storage of three different nut species.
• Evaluate three different samples of nuts, which have been stored using three different techniques.
• Determine the commercial processing techniques used for five specified nut species.
• Explain post-harvest handling of a specified nut species, by a commercial plantation in a specified locality.
• Determine different ways in which nuts can be consumed.
• Compare different ways nuts are packaged for retailing, with reference to different factors including:
  • Physiological impact on the nut
  • Cost of packaging
  • Presentation
• Explain the marketing of different specified nut products, in your locality.
• Develop a marketing plan for one specified type of nut.

Some of our Horticulture Tutors

Maggi Brown Cert.Ed.(Environment)
Maggi is regarded as an expert in Organic Growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic). She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more them three decades.

Yvonne Sharpe RHS Cert.Hort, Dip.Hort, M.Hort, Cert.Ed., Dip.Mgt.
Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne hastravelled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades. Yvonne is also a member of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG).

John L. Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Sup'n Cert., FIOH, FPLA, FAIH, MACHPER, MASA
Mr Mason has had over 40 years experience in the fields of Horticulture, Business, Education and Journalism. He has extensive experience both as a public servant, and as a small business owner. He has held positions ranging from Nurseryman and Landscape Designer to Director of Parks and Recreation (City of Essendon) and magazine editor.
John is a well respected member of many professional associations, and author of over forty books and of over two thousand magazine articles. Even today, John has written a number of best selling reference texts used by horticultural courses at universities and colleges internationally. His publishers include Simon and Shuster, and Landlinks Press (CSIRO Publishing

Dr. Lynette Morgan B. Hort. Tech., Ph.D. in Horticultural Science   Dr Morgan has a broad expertise in horticulture and crop production, and a keen appreciation of the global scene. She travels widely as a partner in Suntec Horticultural Consultants, and has clients in central America, the USA, Caribbean, South East Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA
Gavin has over 20 years of industry experience in  Landscaping, Publishing, Business and Psychology. He was operations manager for a highly reputable British Landscape firm (The Chelsea Gardener) before starting up his own firm. He has exhibited at Chelsea Flower Show, and designed gardens across England and Australia.  He spent the best part of three years working in our Gold Coast office, partly as a writer for Your Backyard (gardening magazine), and partly as a tutor in both psychology and horticulture.

Martin Powdrill, Bsc (Hons) Applied Science (Resources Option), MSc Computer Studies, Permaculture Design Certificate. Martin’s goal as a catalyst for sustainable change brings together his strengths and experience in his environmental, project management, and business backgrounds. For 25 years, Martin has been involved in Telecommunications, IT, Organisational Development, and Energy Conservation & Efficiency, prior to setting up his own Permaculture consulting business. He wishes to make a real difference to people and the planet, by actively bringing new perspectives to current challenges and exciting opportunities. To realise this, he enables diverse groups of people to flourish and release their untapped potential, by re-igniting their passion and creativity. Additionally, Martin volunteers with many local environmental and community groups, and facilitates discussions on climate change, peak oil, and transition towns. Martin has an allotment, and is currently enrolled in the Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Award programme.

Rosemary Davies Dip Hort Sc.    Rosemary trained in Horticultural Applied Science at Burnley, a campus of Melbourne University. Initially she worked with Department of Agriculture Victoria as an extension officer (Garden Advisory Service), taught horticulture students, worked on radio with ABC radio (clocking up over 24 years as a presenter of garden talkback programs, initially the only woman presenter on gardening in Victoria) and she simultaneously developed a career as a writer. She is author of several booka and hundreds of articles.

Diana Cole B.A. (Hons), Higher Dip. (Garden Design), RHS Advanced Cert. Horticulture, Cert Admin.Mgt., Dip. Inst. Personnel Management In addition to her RHS horticulture, garden design, City & Guild construction, NPTC pesticide/legislation and business/management qualifications, Diana has a variety of skills drawn from setting up Arbella Gardens, a landscape gardening business. She also has administrative, management and training delivery experience drawn from her employment in other organisations such as the NHS and other educational institutions such as schools & universities. She has augmented her training expertise having gained the Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector qualification. She also has experience gained through working as a volunteer in a number of different roles including amenity style gardening in parks and practical conservation work. Diana is also a member of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Limited (NSALG).

Tips For Growing Nuts (introduction)

WALNUT (Juglans seiboldiana)
Unsuited to warm or humid climates.  Commercial crops are grown in the north of the U.S.A., colder parts of California, hill areas of southern Australia, and similar climates in other countries. Ideally deep, fertile, moist soils. 60ft. between trees in cooler areas closer in warmer areas.  Propagate by seed or grafting onto seedlings.  Roots produce a substance toxic to other plants, so keep away from other crops.  Normally takes 5 years to commence cropping ... longer to reach peak production.  You can't go far wrong growing walnuts as with most nuts demand is good and keeping qualities are excellent.

CHESTNUTS (Castanea sativa)
Ideally good rainfall and cooler mountain areas, shelter from hot winds, deep well drained soils, space on a 40ft. grid, young trees need feeding and protection from frosts.  In areas below 30 ins. rainfall young trees require irrigation.  Propagation: Grafted trees take 3 to 6 years to crop, seedlings take up to 20 years.  Stratify seed over winter before sowing.  Fruit ripens over a period of time through autumn.  Nuts are beaten out of husks and marketed at once or else prepared for storage.  Once dry, pack in alternate layers of dry sand in a cool dry position ... will store this way for several months.

ALMOND (Prunus dulcis)
Ideally sunny warm site, drained soil, not alkaline, 20 x 25ft. spacing (can be closer), irrigate and feed regularly to achieve good results.  Needs frost free situation late winter and early spring (ie: Frost will kill young fruit or flowers).  Cross pollination is essential.  Propagate by budding or grafting onto peach or plum rootstocks. Californian Papershell, Strouts Papershell and Ne Plus Ultra will cross pollinate with each other.  Challeston, Johnston's Prolific and Brandis Jordan cross pollinate each other.
After harvest, lay out on racks or plastic and air to dry.  Next remove husks and grade according to size for bagging.

PEANUT (Arachis hypogaea)
Suited to subtropical regions, though it is possible to obtain small crops in much cooler areas if frost protection is provided.  Usually planted in spring 2 3 ins. deep in light soils, 1 inch deep in heavier soils.  Responds well to initial feeding.  If soil is more acid than pH 6 to 6.5, an application of lime can be useful.  In areas with a rainfall less than 24 inches, the crop should be irrigated.  Usually grown on broad acre.  The plants are a low bush.
Nuts are ready for harvest when the plant starts to yellow and growth begins to slow.  The time of harvest is critical.  When harvest is getting close, inspect the crop frequently.

MACADAMIA (Macadamia integrifolia and tetraphylla)
Grows in most parts of Australia, and potentially in other temperate climates around the world but best suited to the warmer climates such as those in coastal south Qld and northern NSW. They are also grown on a large commercial scale in Hawaii.  Slow to grow and crop in cooler climates. Grow from seed, cuttings, budding, grafting and layering.  Seed needs to be planted fresh (as soon as mature).  Requires good drainage but moist soils (annual rainfall of 60 inches in their native environment).  Start fruiting at about 5 years, crops over a period of several months.  Demand is well in excess of supply.

PECAN (Carya illinoinensis)
A well known and established crop in the United States, pecans are also grown commercially in Australia.  For good tree growth and top production pecans require a deep well drained, well aerated soil free of hardpan sub soil layers.  Respond well to nitrogen fertilisers, continuous soil moisture from rain or irrigation is essential, susceptible to zinc deficiency.  Needs warmth and sun.
Propagate by softwood cuttings, budding and grafting. Prune to a modified central leader system.

AMERICAN HAZELNUT (Corylus americana)
Ideally cooler climates ... affected by too much sun.  Grown with the filbert to provide cross pollination.

FILBERT (Corylus avellana and maxima)
Ideally shaded site, unsuited to warm areas, good drainage, fertile soils, relatively small deciduous tree or shrub.  Propagate by seed, layering or grafting.  Lives 150 years.  Yields in 4th or 5th year but takes up to 15 years to come into full bearing.  Needs cross pollination.

PISTACHIO NUT  (Pistachia vera)
Only in warmer climates.  A small to medium deciduous tree that can live several hundred years.  Needs long hot dry summers, though it can survive winter temperatures well below freezing.  While they will survive on poor soils, they yield best on deep well drained sandy loams.  Do well on alkaline soils.  For best results, feed annually with nitrogen fertiliser.  Both male and female trees.  You should normally plant one male to every 10 to 12 female.

CASHEW (Anacardium occidentale)
Tender tropical evergreen tree.  Most commercial production is from Africa and Northern Brazil.  Propagated by seed, layering and grafting.  Will only grow in warm to hot climates.

FAQ's

What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

This is an individual module course.  The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study. 

If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it. 

If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you.  If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course. 

If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments. 

There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.

Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.

You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.

You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses

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Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study.  We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives.  We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “About Us” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

Sample Course Notes

Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well.  We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis.  If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

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How Long will it take to complete the course?

This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing.  We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

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