Learn How to Grow Edible Nuts Online
Develop practical knowledge of nut growing and production, from selecting suitable varieties and understanding growing conditions to propagation, crop management, harvesting and post-harvest handling. This course is ideal for anyone interested in nut cultivation, horticulture, small-scale farming or commercial nut production in Australia.
Course Duration: 100 hours (approximately)
COURSE CONTENT
There are nine lessons in this course:
- Lesson 1: Introduction
- What is a nut
- Identifying plants accurately
- Classification of nuts into plant families
- Juglandaceae, Corylaceae, Fagaceae, Burseraceae, Lecythidaceae, Sterculiaceae, Rosaceae, Pinaceae and Anacardiaceae
- Botany of nuts, including flowers and fruit development
- Resources
- Lesson 2: Commonly Grown Varieties
- Overview of nut culture
- Comparing common nuts
- Nut production terminology
- Almonds
- American hazelnuts
- Cashews and peanuts
- Walnuts
- Macadamias
- Lesson 3: Culture of Nuts
- Site selection and management
- Soils and soil testing
- Water management
- Nutrition and feeding
- Plant health, pests and diseases
- Protection from wind, salt and air pollution
- Common problems with different nut varieties
- Planting
- Production terminology
- Weed management
- Pruning
- Lesson 4: Less Common Nuts
- Pecan
- Pistachio
- Pine nuts
- Araucaria
- Chestnut
- Filbert
- Brazil nut
- Beech
- Oak
- Sunflower
- Pili nut
- Cola nut
- Cacao
- Hausa groundnut
- Acacia and other nut crops
- Lesson 5: Propagation
- Seed propagation of nuts
- Cuttings
- Layering
- Grafting
- Propagating Corylus
- Propagating Pinus
- Propagation aids and structures
- Lesson 6: Harvest and Post-Harvest
- Harvesting
- Cleaning, cracking and shelling
- Drying and storage
- Handling almonds, cashews, chestnuts and pine nuts
- Walnuts, hazelnuts and pistachios
- Lesson 7: Marketing Nuts
- Overview of nut marketing
- Where to sell nuts
- Marketing processes
- Market research
- Food and other uses of nuts
- Lesson 8: Workplace Health, Safety and Risk Management
- Duty of care
- Risk assessment in a horticultural enterprise
- Financial risks
- Keeping the workplace safe
- Protective clothing
- Equipment, tools and machinery safety
- Manual handling and lifting
- Lesson 9: Special Assignment
- Project-based learning
- Develop a plan for growing selected nut varieties
- Select suitable varieties
- Assess a specific growing location
- Apply nut production and management principles
Workload & Assessment
Allow approximately 100 hours of study to complete this course, although the time required will vary between students.
Assessment includes self-assessment quizzes throughout the course and assignments at the end of each lesson. An optional final examination is available after completing the assignments, providing the opportunity to gain formal credit or a Pass Certificate. An examination fee applies.
Develop Practical Nut Production Skills
Learn how to grow and manage a range of edible nut crops, from selecting suitable varieties and understanding cultivation and propagation to harvesting, post-harvest handling and marketing. This course can support people interested in home production, horticulture, small-scale farming or developing a commercial nut-growing enterprise.
Ready to Grow Your Knowledge of Nut Production?
Build practical knowledge in nut cultivation, harvesting and production management.
Explore the Nut Production Course and Enrol Online.