Growing Pine Nuts--unlocking the food...

There are a couple of Pinus pinea trees on my grounds. One I grew from a seed, and the other I grew from a tiny seedling bought from a mail-order tree supplier called "Diggers Seeds" in Dromana, Victoria, Australia. Pinus pinea is also called "Stone Pine", because the large seeds resemble stones. It's also called "Umbrella Pine" because it has a habit of losing its lower branches and, thus, taking on rather an umbrella-like shape.

Pinus pinea are VERY drought-resistant, once established. The nuts have been used in traditional Greek cookery--as an ingredient in stuffed vineleaves, for example. Very tasty.

I ask why Australia is obliged to import these nuts, all the way from China, when we could simply have them--for FREE--growing along our streets and roads. Or as in my backyard....

Always seek expert guidance when foraging for wild foods. Dont take my word for a plants edibility but, instead, check out several reliable sources of information (like books and websites). Also ask botanical and wild food experts for their guidance.

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• pine nuts
• China
• Pinus pinea
• Australia
• drought-resistant
• Greek cookery
• pine
• tree
• Stone Pine
• Umbrella Pine
• cone
• carbon footprint
• germination
• cockatoos
• Pinus radiata
• dolmades
• stuffed vineleaves
• delicious
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• Ishmael
• Daniel Quinn
• Permaculture
• foraging

[EvoinOZ]

Hi mate, thanks for the video - I am interested in growing the Stone Pine. Is Melbourne's climate suitable? If so how many years does it take for the tree to begin producing nuts?

Also, Diggers Club doesn't have them in stock. Is there anyone else in Melbourne that stocks them that you know of?

cheers

[zuditaka]

@EvoinOZ Yes, Melbourne's climate is suitable.(There are even Stone Pines growing in Wexford, Ireland, which is much colder than Melbourne.) I think it would probably be about 5 or so years in a place like Melbourne, with plenty of water.Where I am is much drier, so it took longer. Diggers used to sell seedlings, in winter, as well as the seeds. Have you asked your State Forestry nursery? Phoenix seeds in Tasmania used to sell them, but they may not be online yet. Sometimes seeds are on eBay! ♥

[Lbionic]

Thanks brother, pine nuts are so damn expensive here in Ireland. I shudder every time I make pesto :/

[zuditaka]

@Lbionic Hi! I have seen some British webpages, somewhere, on growing Pinus pinea successfully there. So it's not impossible. I don't know if any other cold-hardy pines would have big enough nuts.Have you tried ground almond meal on your pasta? It's nice mixed with breadcrumbs, and then tastes a bit like parmesan. I've been told toasted and ground sesame seeds are very nice on pasta, but I'm yet to try it. Hazelnut meal is okay on pasta, but not as nice as almonds.Yes, pine nuts can be expen$ive

[kirstgee]

good point we should be growing more here, what region are you in?

[zuditaka]

@kirstgee I am in the Lachlan Valley in NSW. Pine nuts do quite well here. Very drought-resistant indeed. Of course, extra water during pine cone nut time is gonna give better harvest. Ditto for pisatchio nuts, too. They, also, are amazingly drought-resistant. But if they aren't given some extra water at nut time, a lot of the nutshells will be empty. Thanks for your comment. ♥

[EvoinOZ]

Hi mate, thanks for the video - I am interested in growing the Stone Pine. Is Melbourne's climate suitable? If so how many years does it take for the tree to begin producing nuts?

Also, Diggers Club doesn't have them in stock. Is there anyone else in Melbourne that stocks them that you know of?

cheers

[Lbionic]

@zuditaka Nice one thanks for that. I have a spot I could put a tree, as long as the roots aren't fond of destroying nearby structures, namely a 10' wall, shed or my newly constructed greenhouse... :o I've tried the almonds mixed with something else, maybe cashews-my buddy used to make it. When I was a vegan I used to use the appetizingly named: "nutritional yeast flakes" thats pretty nice. I hope all's well -peas

[hateliberals1]

drugs.

[zuditaka]

@hobo31009 Happy New Year to you too! ♫ ♫ ♪

Hope you grow some great pine nuts! ♥