Do you know what it takes to grow hazelnuts?

Growing your own hazelnuts is not difficult but, as with any plant, you must provide the right conditions to make hazelnut happy. That includes a sheltered location, preferably on a slope and proper pruning – done in spring. If you do that, you will enjoy a rich harvest and delicious hazelnuts.

The vast majority of people call all varieties of hazel bushes simply hazel, but most of the hazel bushes grown in gardens include four species: the common hazel (Corylus avellana), filbert, (Corylus maxima), Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna) and (Corylus pontica).

What you should know about hazel bushes

If you want to grow a hazel tree, the Turkish hazel will most likely be your choice however, this type of hazel is not very suitable for cooler climates. It produces plenty of nuts in large clusters but they rarely ripen during our short autumns. All you get is empty shells with dried-up kernels.

Photo: Pixabay

Best growing conditions

It does not matter what cultivar you have. Hazel likes mild-to-warm climates and sufficient rainfall. It has a long growing season and needs plenty of sunny days. It does very well in lowlands and foothills or hills, but not at high altitudes – medium altitudes are best.

West and southwest slopes in sheltered locations are also excellent. Hazel cannot deal with cold valleys and cold-to freezing temperatures or with locations that are not protected from cold winds. It also wants warmer, loamy-to-sandy soil, with plenty of humus. Soil should be permeable – hazel roots require deep loose soil and will not do well in heavy or clayey soils.

Preview photo: Pixabay

Source: https://www.ireceptar.cz/zahrada/liska-a-jeji-lahodne-orisky-jak-ji-sazet-pestovat-a-sklizet-20190912.html