BROCHURE WITH USEFUL INFORMATION

When is the best time to plant walnut seedlings?

Walnut trees can be planted at any time between November and April. During these months, the trees are dormant (in winter sleep). It is important that the temperatures are not below 0°C at the time of planting (to prevent root freezing in the case of bare-root seedlings).

WHICH WALNUT VARIETY SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Two main parameters are important when choosing a variety – the climate and the altitude of your country (how many meters above sea level the land is where you will be planting).

Chandler is a lateral variety. It is one of the best varieties in terms of yield and walnut quality. It is also one of the best-selling walnut tree varieties. Chandler can be planted at altitudes of up to 1200 meters. It is necessary for Chandler to be planted with its pollinator, Franquette. The percentage of the pollinator can vary between 5%-10%.

Fernor is a frost-resistant and productive variety. It can be planted at altitudes above 1200 meters. The fruits of this variety are high-quality and delicious nuts. It should be planted with its pollinator, Fernette.

WHAT DISTANCE SHOULD I PLANT WALNUT SEEDLINGS?

The recommended planting schemes for French and American varieties are: 5m x 6m (i.e., 5 meters between trees and 6 meters between rows). With this planting scheme, an average of 300 seedlings are needed per hectare.

Please note that these schemes may vary depending on the technique you intend to use for managing the inter-row spaces, as well as the layout and nature of your land

PREPARE YOUR LAND 

Before your walnut trees arrive, you need to prepare your land.

During plowing, the topsoil layer is turned over and pushed deeper. This process disrupts beneficial microorganisms and fungi in the surface layer.

That’s why we at Walnuts - Bulgaria do not recommend deep soil cultivation. The most optimal approach, in our opinion, is subsoiling. This process aerates the soil layers while preserving beneficial microorganisms. Another key advantage of this method is that it improves moisture absorption and retention.

Mark the spots where the trees will be planted. Dig holes 60 cm wide and approximately 60 cm deep for bare-root walnuts and 30 cm wide/60 cm deep for container-grown walnuts. Do not spread the soil removed from the hole, as you will need it later to cover the trees.

PLANT THE TREES

Before planting the tree, trim any broken or excessively long roots. Lightly prune the small roots (by 1-2 cm). Place the tree in the hole and fill it with soil.

Make sure the root is positioned upright in the dug hole. Firmly press the soil around the trunk with your feet, water it, add more soil, then press again and water once more. The goal is to eliminate air pockets around the roots to prevent them from drying out or freezing (especially during winter planting). Ensure that the grafting point remains a few centimeters above the ground. After planting, check that the tree is securely in place—it should not come loose when gently pulled by hand.

Now that the trees are planted, their tops should be pruned. This helps direct the tree’s energy toward root growth rather than leaf production.

Water generously! This will help the newly planted trees adapt to their new environment.

Do not rush to paint the tree trunks. It is recommended to do this after the third year, once the crown has formed.

Use white (latex-based) paint. This will protect the trunks from sunburn. Always choose water-based paints and avoid oil-based ones.

To protect your young trees from wild animals (if the area is not fenced), you can use protective mesh for young fruit trees. Wrap it around the trunk to shield the bark from rodents and wild animals.

WHY TAKE CARE OF WALNUT TREES? 

This will ensure that your trees grow healthy and produce more walnuts.

WATERING

The trees will need watering during the hot summer months. We recommend using a drip irrigation system. Depending on weather conditions, each young tree will require approximately 15 liters of water per day during hot summer days.

FERTILIZATION 

Use NPK (nitrogen - phosphorus - potassium) fertilizer to support tree growth. For younger trees, nitrogen (N) is especially important for their development.

During the first three years, trees require about 100 grams of nitrogen per tree annually. However, the exact fertilization rate should ideally be determined based on a soil analysis.

Once the trees reach their fourth year and begin production, the amount of nitrogen should be increased to support higher yields. 

SOIL CARE

Weeds compete with walnut saplings for water, so regular weeding is necessary. Soil cultivation in the rows and between the rows should be shallow to avoid damaging the roots.  

PRUNING 

After planting, the trees are shortened to the first fresh bud. The cutting should be done at an angle. When determining the height, it is important to consider the relationship between the trunk height and the time of fruiting. Trees with a taller trunk will start bearing fruit later.

To encourage growth, pruning should be carried out during the tree's dormant period in winter.