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  • From: Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Walnut catkins uncertainty
  • Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 09:21:53 -0500


On May 28, 2008, at 8:58 AM, Roy Morgan wrote:


On May 27, 2008, at 8:25 PM, Gene GeRue wrote:

Unable to determine pH or potential toxicity or other negativity of
walnut catkins in garden beds or in compost. Anyone know?

Unable to pull from memory any meaning for the work "catkin". Have
half a bucket of black walnuts here from the lawn, intending to plant
them at the new house in about a month or so.

Any advice on growing black walnut trees from the nuts welcome.

As some up in that neck of the woods might say, "Ayep."

Plant black walnuts well back from future gardens--the juglone in their root system is toxic to a long list of plants. I would also avoid planting them near a house, as they tend to be messy and inhibit various types of grass growth. The root system extends far beyond their drip lines, so be generous with your distance from house or gardens. Also, you don't want the roots near septic systems or graywater systems where the drain pipe is not glued.

Once they start growing prune them to a central leader. You want them straight and tall, for your grandchildren to make beautiful furniture from.

Catkins are walnut sex pendants, the long, droopy, fuzzy things that hang down and then fall to the ground, part of the messiness of walnuts. Like the leaves and husks, catkins stain.





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