English walnut

Walnuts reward patience. Grafted varieties like Broadview or Franquette usually start producing nuts after five to seven years, but seed-grown trees can take a decade or more and may never crop reliably. Late spring frosts are the main enemy of the crop, as walnuts leaf out and flower relatively early — choose a frost-free site or a late-leafing variety like Franquette. Once established, a single tree can produce impressive harvests for generations. Some varieties benefit from a pollination partner, though many are self-fertile. Wet the nuts immediately after harvest and dry them well for storage.