The fruit is ready for harvest when you can dent the hull with your thumb. Crops can vary considerably from year to year, and walnuts can be better producers when another tree is nearby so that cross-pollination occurs.

Remove the hulls immediately after harvest, as the hull can give the meat a strong taste if left on too long. This juice also can stain the nut meat, your skin and clothes. Removing the hull requires a little effort. Wear gloves, and try removing the hulls with a hammer.

Once you've removed the hulls, wash the walnuts. Those that float in water are bad -- that is, the nut meat has not filled out. Let washed nuts dry in a cool, dry, ventilated place for a couple of weeks.

Then crack the thick shells with a hammer or nutcracker. Store the kernels in a plastic bag in the freezer. Or if you're going to eat them fairly soon, in the refrigerator.