Knowing when are pecans ready to pick is the difference between a good harvest and a great one. Picking them at the perfect moment ensures the best flavor, the easiest shelling, and nuts that will store well for months. If you’ve got a pecan tree in your yard or are planning to forage, this guide will walk you through all the signs of ripeness so you can collect your bounty with confidence.
The process is surprisingly straightforward once you know what to look for. It’s not just about the calendar date, but about observing the tree and the nuts themselves. Nature gives you several clear signals, and we’ll cover each one.
When Are Pecans Ready To Pick
The short answer is: pecans are ready in the fall, typically from late September through November, depending on your climate and the variety. But you need to look for a combination of signs, not just the time of year. The tree will tell you when it’s time.
The Top Signs Your Pecans Are Ripe
Here are the main indicators that your pecans have reached maturity and are prepared for harvest. You’ll usually see a few of these happening at the same time.
* The Husks Split Open: This is the most obvious and reliable sign. The green, fleshy outer covering (the shuck or husk) will dry out, turn brown, and begin to crack along its seams. A fully ripe pecan will have a husk that has split wide open, allowing the clean, brown shell inside to be visible.
* Nuts Begin to Fall: Gravity is your helper. As the husks open, the pecans inside detach and start dropping to the ground. A healthy, ripe nut will fall free from its open husk. If you have to tug hard on a nut, it’s not ready.
* The Tree Drops Its Leaves: Pecan trees are deciduous, and their leaf drop in autumn coincides closely with nut maturity. When you see a significant portion of the leaves turning yellow and falling, it’s a good bet the nuts are nearing or at peak ripeness.
* The Kernel Changes Inside: The ultimate test is the kernel itself. A ripe pecan kernel will be a uniform golden brown color, firm, and crisp. It will fill the shell completely, with no gap or spongy feel. An immature kernel will be lighter in color, softer, and may taste bitter or astringent.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Harvesting
Once you’ve confirmed your pecans are ready, follow these steps for an efficient harvest.
1. Gather Your Tools: You’ll need a long pole or a pecan shaker (for larger trees), tarps or old sheets, buckets or baskets, and sturdy gloves. A pole is useful for gently encouraging stubborn nuts from high branches.
2. Lay Down Tarps: Before you start shaking or waiting for more to fall, spread tarps under the canopy of the tree. This makes collection much easier and keeps the nuts cleaner than picking them directly from grass or dirt.
3. Shake the Limbs (Carefully!): For nuts that are hanging on in open husks, a gentle shake of the limb is often all it takes. Don’t violently thrash the branches, as this can damage the tree and its future fruiting buds. Use a smooth, up-and-down motion.
4. Collect Fallen Nuts Daily: Don’t let nuts sit on wet ground for long. Moisture can lead to mold or staining. Gather them every day or two during the peak drop period to ensure top quality.
5. Remove Any Remaining Husks: Occasionally, a nut will fall with a piece of the dry husk still attached. These need to be removed promptly. Wearing gloves, simply twist and pull off the husk fragments. Leaving them on can trap moisture and cause spoilage.
What to Do After Picking: Curing is Key
Freshly harvested pecans are not yet ready for eating or long-term storage. They contain excess moisture and must be cured, or dried, properly. This step improves flavor, makes shelling easier, and prevents mildew.
* Spread Them Out: Place your pecans in a single layer on screens, racks, or in shallow boxes. Good air circulation on all sides is crucial.
* Choose a Dry Location: A well-ventilated shed, garage, or covered porch is ideal. Avoid damp basements.
* Let Them Dry Slowly: Stir or turn the nuts every couple of days to ensure even drying. The curing process usually takes about two weeks. You’ll know they’re ready when the kernel snaps cleanly when bent, rather than feeling rubbery.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced gardeners can make a few errors during pecan harvest. Here’s what to watch out for.
* Harvesting Too Early: Picking pecans while the husks are still tightly green results in shriveled, poorly flavored kernels that are nearly impossible to remove from the shell. Patience is essential.
* Letting Nuts Sit on Wet Ground: This is the fastest way to ruin your harvest. Rain or dew can be absorbed through the shell, leading to moldy or rotten nuts.
* Using Force Too Early: If you’re shaking branches and nothing falls, the nuts aren’t ready. Forcing them off damages the tree and gives you an inferior product.
* Skipping the Curing Process: Storing uncured pecans in a bag or container will almost certainly result in a musty, ruined batch. Never skip the drying stage.
Factors That Affect Ripening Time
Not all pecans ripen at the same time. Several factors influence your harvest schedule.
Pecan Variety
There are many cultivars, and they are often classified as either Type I or Type II for pollination. More importantly for harvest, they are grouped as early, mid-season, or late-season varieties. For example, ‘Pawnee’ is an early harvester, while ‘Desirable’ is mid-season, and ‘Stuart’ is often later.
Your Local Climate
The length of your growing season and summer heat directly impact ripening. Pecans in warmer southern states may be ready earlier than those in more northern parts of the pecan-growing range. A cool, wet summer can also delay maturity.
Tree Health and Weather Stress
A tree under stress from drought, disease, or poor nutrition may drop its nuts prematurely or fail to fill them properly. These dropped nuts are often not ripe and should be discarded. A healthy, well-cared-for tree will produce a reliable, timely crop.
FAQ: Your Pecan Harvest Questions Answered
Q: Can you pick pecans when they are green?
A: No, you should not pick pecans while the outer husk is still green and closed. The nut inside will be immature, won’t have developed its full flavor or size, and will be extremly difficult to shell.
Q: How long is the pecan harvesting season?
A: For a single tree, the main drop often happens over a 7-10 day period. However, for a homeowner with several varieties, the overall harvest season can stretch from late September into November.
Q: What if some husks don’t open?
A: Some nuts, especially those at the top of the tree or from a stressed branch, may remain in closed husks. These are often not fully developed. You can try removing the husk yourself, but the nut inside is usually small and poorly filled.
Q: How should I store my shelled pecans?
A: For short-term use (a few months), store shelled pecans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For long-term storage (up to a year or more), place them in an airtight container or freezer bag in the freezer. This prevents the oils in the pecans from becoming rancid.
Q: Why are my pecans falling so early when they’re still small?
A: Premature drop is usually a sign of tree stress. Common causes include inadequate water during the nut-filling stage in late summer, insect damage (like pecan weevils), or a nutrient deficiency. It’s a good idea to check your tree’s overall health.
Harvesting pecans at the right time is a simple, rewarding process. By watching for those split husks, listening for the thud of nuts on your tarp, and taking care to cure them properly, you’ll be enjoy the rich, buttery taste of your own homegrown pecans all winter long. There’s nothing quite like it.