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too late for hazel?

 
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camokid



Joined: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 27
Location: coventry
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 6:38 am    Post subject: too late for hazel? Reply with quote
    

hi all im always on the lookout for any country grub and have been looking for hazel nuts but im thinking i may be too late in the season would i be correct???..

i had a grate weekend filling a bag with chestnuts and walnuts

many thanks andy

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 6:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hazels were over a month ago down here.

OtleyLad



Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 2737
Location: Otley, West Yorkshire
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 6:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Depends how far north you live and how many squirrels are in your locality!
Here in Yorkshire the nuts are just ripening but of course the squirrels know this too

Green Rosie



Joined: 13 May 2007
Posts: 10498
Location: Calvados, France
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 7:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Plenty still on the ground here in Normandy - too many this year even for the squirrels to munch them all.

camokid



Joined: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 27
Location: coventry
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 7:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

i may be too late then.. i kick myself as last year i found them and didn't take note of time or place really i will learn from my mistakes...

thanks

Nicky cigreen



Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9702
Location: Devon, uk
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 8:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

plenty still here - the main rush has been and gone but it is such a good year there are still plenty to be had - maybe not much longer with this stormy weather

camokid



Joined: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 27
Location: coventry
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 8:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

can anyone explain the hazel catkins??

Somewhere-by-the-river



Joined: 16 Sep 2013
Posts: 56
Location: West Wales
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 8:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hazel always produces catkins at this time of year ready for the next season's crop. If I remember correctly the catkins you are seeing now are the male part and won't 'mature' till around February... Female 'flowers' are very small and rely on wind pollination.

Does that help?

camokid



Joined: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 27
Location: coventry
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 10:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

yes that did thanks.. do they produce the nut first thne the catkins or both at the same time... im just trying to identify what i am seeing... thanks

Somewhere-by-the-river



Joined: 16 Sep 2013
Posts: 56
Location: West Wales
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 10:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The catkins you are seeing now will produce pollen in February which will then give nuts next season. The male catkins usually develop on the new seasons growth over the summer period, which I guess means after the nut has started to develop. Look out for the tiny red female flowers come February.

camokid



Joined: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 27
Location: coventry
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 10:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

oh right so im looking at trees that have already shed there nuts and the catkins are the start of next year crop..? sorry just trying to work this out

Nicky cigreen



Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9702
Location: Devon, uk
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 10:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

check out the ground - we gather ours from the lane floor under the hazels

Somewhere-by-the-river



Joined: 16 Sep 2013
Posts: 56
Location: West Wales
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 10:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I usually gather mine from the trees in September when they are still green or, preferably, when they are just starting to ripen. If you keep them in their husks in a basket so the air can circulate they will ripen in their own time (mine are almost there now) without going mouldy. I've found that once ripe, those that fall out of the husk with no assistance are usually good (though one or two will be empty, which is normal), while those that have a brown/ripe-looking shell but with husk still firmly attached are often bad.

They'll keep for quite a while too - we've just cracked the last of last years and they are still good and I've kept them for around two years before... though they don't often last that long!

...That said, we did gather most from the ground this year - due to our recent relocation and general ensuing chaos (mostly due to family thinking it would be a fab time to come for a free holiday........! ). A smaller crop this way, but still worth it!

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 13 4:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

camokid wrote:
oh right so im looking at trees that have already shed there nuts and the catkins are the start of next year crop..? sorry just trying to work this out


Yes. If next year's little green catkins are there you're probably at the same stage as we are. Nuts all long gone.

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