- 1). Determine the suitability of the climate where you live for growing pistachios.
- 2). Select an area that receives full sun where the soil is well-drained and has enough room for the number of trees you are planting as they require at least 20 feet between trees at maturity.
- 3). Dig the holes as deep as the root ball and two to three times the diameter. Plant males in the direction that is generally upwind of females when possible.
- 4). Examine the root ball to make sure it looks healthy and prune any roots that have curled in around the bottom.
- 5). Set the tree in the center of the hole and fill dirt in around the root ball. Amend the soil with sand if necessary for improved drainage. The top of the root ball should be at about the same level as the surrounding ground.
- 6). Water the tree well after planting, then allow the soil to almost dry between waterings as pistachio trees do not like wet roots.
- 7). Feed the tree with a fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the spring as per the manufacturer's instructions. Start fertilizing a year after the tree is planted.
- 8). Harvest the nuts in the fall, usually September, once the hull separates easily from the shell. Pistachio trees start to produce nuts in their fifth year and reach mature production at about 20 years. They are alternate bearers, producing a heavy crop every other year.
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