Storage
To best replicate the natural process, nuts should be planted as soon as possible
after collection. If that’s not feasible, then you need to store the nuts in a cold
place. Place them in sealable plastic bags with a handful of peat moss to stave off
mold or bacteria. Leave the bag slightly open or poke a couple of holes in it, and
then put it in a refrigerator. This keeps the nuts safe for about a month, until the
conditions are right for planting.
If you want to store the nuts through winter, then you need to simulate winter
conditions while the nut remains dormant. For acorns, place them in one-gallon
sealable plastic bags with some peat moss and store them in a refrigerator set at 34
to 36 degrees Fahrenheit. For hickory nuts, pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts, create
a moist mixture of half sand and half ground peat. Place nuts in a storage container
with an airtight lid, then store in a cool, unheated location until spring.