How to Grow Hazel Nuts from Seeds Priced for its sweet fleshed nuts and compact growth habit, the American Hazel Nut, Sea Americana, adds practical and ornamental value to landscaping within U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 4-9. Although they are most commonly propagated using layering, hazel nuts will also grow reliably well from fresh seed gathered in late summer. The seeds germinate best if sewn in autumn and chilled for several months to break their dormancy. However, they are susceptible to fungal diseases and must be kept under barely moist, airy conditions to ensure their survival. One gather hazel nuts in late summer after the shells turn a solid, light reddish brown color. Take the nuts directly from the tree rather than picking them up off the ground. Avoid nuts with damage or obvious signs of rot. Two rub the side of each hazel nut with a fine grain rasp to weaken the thick outer hull. Rub it only until a pale patch forms. Do not rub all the way through the hull since the seed will be damaged and fail to germinate. Three place the nuts in a bucket of cold water for 24 hours. Scoop out and discard any nuts that float to the surface since they will not germinate reliably. Sew the hazel nuts that sink. Drain off the water. Four-sau the hazel nuts in individual 8-inch containers filled with a mix of half-core sand and half-seed compost. Sew them at a depth of 1-2 inches, or whatever depth is equal to twice the diameter of the nut. Five place each pot inside a large, clear plastic bag. Do not seal the bag. Place the pots where temperatures stay between 32 and 40 F, such as inside the refrigerator or outdoors against a north-facing wall during the winter months. Six chill the hazel nuts for 2-4 months. Remoise in the sand mixture whenever it feels somewhat dry in the top 1-half inch. Do not allow the sand to dry out completely since the seeds will resume dormancy and fail to germinate. Seven remove the plastic bags and transfer the pots to a warm, bright location after the cold stratification period has ended. Place them in a partly shaded cold frame on a germination mat. Set the temperature to 80 F during the day and 70 F at night. Eight check the moisture level of the sand mixture at least once a day since the germination mat will dry it out quickly. Red water whenever the sand feels mostly dry in the top 1-half inch. Do not let the sand dry out completely. Nine watch for sprouting in 30 days. Leave the germination mat in place for one week after the initial sprouts emerge. Open the ventilation conduit on the cold frame to increase air circulation around the hazel nut seedlings. Ten move the hazel nuts to a partly shaded area outdoors after the last spring frost. Grow them under light shade. Set the seedlings to full sun for two weeks in early autumn, then transplant them into a permanent bed with moist acid soil.