Autumn conjures images of apple picking and pumpkin patches, but there’s another native plant that deserves its moment in the sun: Black walnut trees.
Why should I care?
Every part of the Black Walnut tree has commercial uses in furniture, cosmetics, and most of all, food.
Folks wrestling with shells every time they mow are sitting on a tasty treasure trove.
How to spot + where to hull
Seeing dollar signs yet? If you’re interested in sharing your local harvest, regional producers like Hammons Black Walnuts are ready to buy.
Here’s how to identify your haul:
- Large leaves 1-2 feet long, made of 11-23 leaflets
- A large, straight grayish-brown or black trunk
- Distinctive spicy smell
- And most importantly — green, round husks 1.5–2.5 inches across that enclose a dark brown or black nut
Peak harvest season is September through October. When you’re ready to go nuts, here are the nearby buying stations:
- Arrowhead Farm in Bargersville
- Glenn R Edwards in Arcadia
- Kris and Doug Shoemaker in Kokomo
