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Pecans (Carya illinoinensis) are a gorgeous tree to grow, provided you have the space! They can grow up to 10m tall and make a wonderful shade tree. But the best bit – the nuts! Pecans are delicious raw or roasted and a handful of these nuts a day can actually help reduce your risk of heart disease. They are a long-term investment though, as most varieties bear fruit after 8 years, however, you can find grafted varieties which can produce nuts in 4-5 years.

How to grow Pecans in a garden

  1. Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food and Yates Natures Way Organic Compost & Soil Improver. If the soil is clay based, improve soil structure by adding gypsum and forking in well.
  2. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots. 
  3. Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes. 
  4. Mulch around the base with organic mulch like woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.
  5. Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
  6. During the growing and flowering/fruiting season, feed with Yates Thrive Citrus & Fruit Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost during the flowering/fruiting season, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
  7. Reapply Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food and Yates Natures Way Organic Compost & Soil Improver at least once or twice a year to keep the soil nice and rich.
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Growing tips

  • Pecans grow best in temperate and sub-tropical regions, but can tolerate areas with cold winters. Check plant labels before purchasing.
  • Pecans can be divided into two groups, depending on when male and female flowers mature
    – Type A (protoandrous): pollen is shed early, before the female flower is ready
    - Type B (protogynous): pollen is shed late.
    While most varieties are self-pollinating, planting varieties from each group will ensure optimum cross pollination.

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