Black Walnuts Could Be Killing Your Garden - What to Do

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[JWDicus]

When we built our custom home, we used all black walnut for the wood trim and every piece of furniture, cabinet, built-in bookshelves, pantry, crown molding, baseboards, everything. The whole house is black walnut. We even have walnut butcher block countertops. I am a woodworker and we used my shop here on the property to mill, surface, cut, shape and sand all of it. We generated cubic yards of black walnut sawdust, all of which, we added to our compost bays to break down into compost. And in a few months, after it had been broken down to black gold we put all that compost directly into our garden beds. We never had any problems growing our fruits and veggies in that garden though. So, I guess the juglan breaks down in the composting process? Or maybe there isn't as much in the heartwood as there is in the roots? Is it mostly a root exudate? I don't know. But in our experience, you can add a whole lot of black walnut sawdust to your compost and then to your garden with no ill effects to plant growth.

[fueledbywanderlustblog]

My husband and I have had issues growing tomato plants for years. They start off looking really healthy, but shortly after fruiting and growing to medium height become very stunted and start to wilt. Same pattern over and over again, which we assumed was due to disease or lack of nutrients in our soil. I stumbled upon the relationship between the black walnut tree and nightshade plants this year by complete accident. We'd been getting the nuts dropping into our yard from our neighbor's tree for years but had no clue what they were. This being the first year I got very curious about plants and gardening, I finally looked up what the fruits were and voila! Not only discovered we'd been living next to a black walnut tree all along, but also cracked the code on why our tomatoes routinely struggle so much. Disappointing, but very enlightening. Perhaps not surprising, our most successful tomato plant was in a brand new raised bed we'd added to the garden this year. Next year, we plan to try growing tomatoes in containers.

[karamarco]

I did know this about black walnut trees but I didn't know about the mulch not having the same. Thank you!

[nelliehildebrandt]

Sadly, I have 11 black walnut trees that line the entire length of my one acre property. 8 years ago i planted my first garden only 15 feet away from the tree line and it took me two years to figure out what was happening to my plants. Moved my garden to the opposite side and now I am 6 years into having a more successful garden! Unfortunately I still battle squirrels burying the walnuts in my garden

[judymckerrow]

We have three HUGE black walnut trees in our back yard and yes I did know about the juglone effect on some plants. I mainly grow hosta beneath them as they don’t seem to be affected at all. I did do some research on what was able to tolerate juglone before I planted around the trees. 🥺🌺💚🙃

[BettieDonner-qgkr]

I was aware. My neighbors have their fence lined with about 10 black walnut trees. Since moving my raised beds to the back yard, they are about 25' from the trees. I also garden in 5-gallon buckets...tomatoes, peppers and egg plants have done well. For being such a hot summer (6b), the garden has been a success. Thanks for all your help.

[d.haskins]

We have acres of black walnuts, asparagus grows, raspberries, . Use a raised bed! native medicals do well...elderberry, pawpaw, spicebush, aronia, st john wort. Ty! Ty! I have been experimenting with this. !,

[donnalutheran]

My neighbor has one on the fence line. We had two small ones in the yard that we had removed when we had some other trees removed. They grow like weeds. Yes, in my garden too, thanks to the neighborhood squirrels.

[lisamorris]

I was aware. My neighbors trees are close to my garden, and so I haven't been able to grow my beautiful tomatoes there anymore.😢 Thanks for this enlightenment for those who need to be aware of this.

[rhinothumping]

North just Black Walnut trees. Butternut or White Walnut trees also produce Juglone. I believe all walnut varieties produce it to some extent. I do raised beds with a root gap below the bed to ensure the trees don’t send roots up into the beds. Think beds on short legs.

[kellystiner]

I have 3 huge black walnut trees that have been there for over 100 years (it would take 2 to 3 people to hug it) the neighbors also have the same- we live near the river in an area that was an old canal system. I’m glad for the confirmation that my garden is far enough away.

[gpashh]

Ha ha I had one in the middle of all my gardens but the hubby wouldn't cut it down, fast forward the hurricane took it down this year. soo happy. One day I'm going to get my hands on those walking onions. You always sell out before I do. Lol I've always known for 10+ yrs.

[tamararoberts]

I learned this about 10 years ago and I've been gardening around 50 years

[lynnherman]

I would like to thank you for all of your videos. I have learned so much! I only found out about a week ago when I had to have a Black Walnut cut down & I was going to use the mulch in my garden but the tree removal guy told me about the effects it would have on my garden. This is my second year gardening and both have been very good. I still have two very tall Black Walnut trees so I going to have to find a different for my new flower beds.

[dawnae]

I did not know the info about the black walnut tree....highly Useful info .... Thanks!

[jeankahler]

I had no idea about black walnut affecting Garden. Thank you for the info

[honeybadgers]

I had no idea about black walnut trees. But I was thinking of planting some sort of a nut tree in my garden next year. Thanks for the info. I learned a lot.

[CindyLouJ]

I thought it was something that the tree dropped or pollinated from above. My tomatoes did bad this year, but great last year. Also, I have a raised bed... so I'm thinking I over filled the bed (which I'm famous for) or i amended it with hot soil in the spring because the tomatoes and peppers and lettuce are all happy now. Thanks for the reassurance!!

[CindyPedersen-ipft]

Did not know. Great info because our neighbor is cutting down two black walmut trees and giving us the wood. So thankyou

[cmg]

I absolutely love walnuts, all varieties. I knew you couldn't plant non-native and even many native plants below them but it's good to know what we can. Hopefully people remember that the walnuts themselves are delicious crop, assuming they like walnuts LOL I know everybody doesn't.