Garden Q&A: Green pecans off tree won't ripen further (2024)

FAQs

Garden Q&A: Green pecans off tree won't ripen further? ›

Like you, owners of pecan trees often find a sizable number of green pecans on the ground. Unfortunately, these pecans are not ripe and once off the tree will not ripen further. Within a few more weeks your pecans will be ripe enough to eat - as long as you can get to them before the squirrels.

Pull each divided section with the tip of your knife until you've removed the green husk from the hard inner shell. Scrape off any leftover green spots. Let them sit in a warm, well-ventilated area so the pecans can dry out. In about a week, they will turn brown and be ready to eat.

In most cases, pecan trees drop their nuts in the fall when they are fully ripe and ready to be harvested. The husk will start to split and the nutshell beneath the husk will turn brown. When fallen pecans are green, this means something has interfered with the ripening process.

When to Harvest. Harvest pecans in early September through November when they have fallen from the trees. Start your harvest in 3-8 years depending on the variety and growing conditions. Watch for a substantial portion of the husks to have split and opened and the shell to turn brown before gathering.

Insufficient water late in the season will make the trees weak and the shucks will not open, producing "stick tights." An early freeze will do the same, but the pecans will be well filled.

Pecans should be stored in relative humidity of about 65-70%. Humidity higher than these values can cause the pecans to become soft and grow molds. Soft pecans are not good and should be discarded. Pecans with an air gap in their cross section will not storage as well or as long as a full meaty nut.

Can you eat green or raw pecans that have fallen off after roasting or toasting them? No, you cannot eat the green nuts that fall off prematurely from the trees as they've still not ripened.

Like you, owners of pecan trees often find a sizable number of green pecans on the ground. Unfortunately, these pecans are not ripe and once off the tree will not ripen further.

Pecans should be harvested as soon as they fall from the tree (pecan quality deteriorates rapidly if nuts remain on the ground for extended periods of time) and dried to remove excess moisture. Drying can usually be accomplished by storing the nuts in a warm dry room for approximately 2 weeks.

If a nut is only slightly stale, says Kanney, it can usually still be toasted to revive some of its previous glory and (crunch). However, Kanney says, “If a nut has spoiled or gone rancid, recognizable by a sour or bitter flavor, the nut is no longer good and should be thrown away.”

How to tell if pecans are ripe? ›

Pecans that are harvest-ready will have brown, cracked husks. The husks dry out as they age and turn from green to brown. These cracked and brown pecans will fall out of their husks and onto the ground. The pecans will begin to dry and cure if the soil is dry.

This fact leads to the question of whether it is okay to harvest pecans early. Early is a relative term. The pecan husks must at least be cracking open, but yes, if you want to climb the tree and remove those that appear ready, by all means, do so.

Fresh pecans have a distinct aroma, characterized by their sweet, nutty scent. They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture.

Nutritional problems from shallow soil or poor fertilization can cause pecans to shed throughout the year. Water stage in later July and early August is the most common form of pecan drop. As the nuts move from size development into kernel formation the pecan sheds very easily.

The most common problem encountered in locally grown pecans is small, shriveled nuts that fail to fully fill out. This can be caused by poor growing conditions, low nutrients or insect and disease problems.

Alternate pecan production (on and off years) is mainly the result of inadequate fertilization. When trees set a large nut crop, there are not enough nutrients for both that year's nuts to mature and for the tree to store enough plant food for adequate production in the following year.

To freshen any type of nuts before you eat (or cook with) them, toast on a baking sheet in a 350 degrees F oven for 10 minutes or place nuts in a small bowl and microwave on High for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.

Soaking: Place the pecans and salt in a large glass or stainless steel bowl along with 8 cups of water. The pecans will swell during the soaking process, so you want enough water to keep them covered.

If you're wondering how long you can leave fallen pecans on the ground, the answer is pick them up as soon as possible. If they sit on the ground too long they will most likely become wet, causing them to rot much faster.