We knew it was time to harvest when Lauren peaked out her kitchen window and leapt with joy after seeing the green hulls of the walnuts splitting on one of the old walnut trees.
With the whole family in tow, even Grandma, we grabbed our baskets, gloves, a wagon, and a pole to shake the nuts off the branches. After about two hours we gathered our very first bounty from Ojai Family Farm, dry farmed Chandler walnuts!
We have ordered a hand operated nutcracker called the Davebilt #43 Nutcracker made in Northern California, recommended to us by the Organic farmers at Double A Walnuts. We can’t wait until the nut cracker arrives! In the meantime we have the walnuts in shell drying in the sun for the next few weeks, secured from our #1 nemesis at the moment, ground squirrels.
Ojai Family Farm’s walnuts will be available for purchase in time for Thanksgiving! And we’ll be sharing a Maple Walnut Pie recipe soon.
Our walnuts will also be available in our Holiday Gift Basket featuring homemade jams and more. Stay tuned!
Ojai Family Farm 