Most walnuts break dormancy during a period when the probability of frosts is great. New growth that carries the pistillate blooms can be killed by below freezing temperatures. Therefore, the most frost-free sites are necessary for assured annual production. Besides the good air drainage, walnuts require a good loam or clay-loam soil. The soil pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline for best growth.
Sandy loam is acceptable providing the sub-soil has a reasonable water holding capacity.
If not, irrigation is recommended. While not entirely pest free, no unusual or uncontrollable pest or disease problems should plague Midwest growers. The disease has not been observed in the Midwest. Hansen' is a high quality but small nut. It produces large annual crops.