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Few would believe that walnuts can be a source of regular extra income and even a primary income for several months. Yet it is true. My acquaintance Radim makes his living in exactly this way – from spring to summer he lives in a village in a modest house and from September to winter he goes to the city. It is in the autumn that he manages to earn an amount that will last him for the entire rest of the year. And what is best about it? It is not hard labor or drudgery – his income is made up of ordinary nuts.
Rules for collecting walnuts
You may think that to earn from collecting walnuts you need extensive orchards. That is not true. One single tree is enough. A mature tree with a trunk diameter of at least one meter, which has been growing for more than ten years, can yield up to 100 kilograms of nuts in a season. That is an amount that can already provide a very interesting income.
If you have a younger tree, you’ll have to wait. The first 15 to 20 kilograms of nuts can be harvested after roughly five to ten years. The soil in which the tree grows, the weather conditions and overall care have a large influence on the yield. Even a younger tree can bring you an interesting profit, because the price of nuts has risen significantly in recent years.
Why it pays to buy nuts in the shell
If you do not buy nuts directly from collectors and prefer stores, always choose whole nuts in the shell. Shelled nuts may look more convenient, but it is the shell that protects the kernel from spoilage. Furthermore, you can make use of the shell – for example as an eco-friendly fuel, mulch or material for homemade decorations.
If you have patience and a bit of skill, you can shell the kernels yourself. Store whole nuts in a dry, cool and ventilated place, ideally in a mesh bag or a wooden crate. In a good year a simple ratio applies: from three kilograms of whole nuts you can get up to one and a half kilograms of walnut kernels.
How to efficiently shell walnuts
Cracking walnuts is the biggest obstacle for many. If you process large quantities, it pays to get a special nutcracker. It will significantly speed up and simplify your work. However, if you want to crack only occasionally, you can use a simple trick with a bottle.
Just take a glass bottle, ideally a sparkling wine bottle, which has a thick neck. Place the nut on the neck and gently tap its more pointed end. With a bit of practice you will obtain the whole, undamaged kernel. In this way you can shell up to five kilograms of nuts per hour. It is a method that is simple, cheap and effective.
Walnuts as a profitable side income
Because the price of nuts has been rising year by year, their collection is becoming an interesting side income for more and more people. If you have access to fruit-bearing trees, you can obtain finances during a single season that will provide you with a more comfortable life for several months in advance.
Moreover, it is not only about the financial aspect. Walnuts are an excellent source of energy, healthy fats, proteins and minerals. They are suitable not only for direct consumption but also for baking, cooking or making homemade oils.
Summary
Walnuts are not only a healthy food but also a way to earn extra money or even secure income for a longer period. Whether you collect them from a tree in your garden or buy and further process them, you will always find great potential in them. Their value is increasing, the kernels sell well and the shells can be used practically.
If you are looking for a simple way to combine usefulness with nature and earn money, then collecting walnuts is the right path. All it takes is patience, one tree and the willingness to get to work – the reward will be not only a tasty harvest but also a stable side income.
