Franquette Walnut
Juglans regia 'Franquette'
A treasured French heirloom variety that combines exceptional nut quality with impressive cold tolerance and late leafing that avoids spring frosts. Franquette produces elongated nuts with rich, flavorful meats that store exceptionally well through winter months. This variety serves double duty as an excellent pollinator for other walnut varieties while producing its own premium crop.
Harvest
170-200d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
3–7
USDA hardiness
Height
40-60 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Franquette Walnut in USDA Zone 7
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Franquette Walnut · Zones 3–7
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: more than 60 feet. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Grafting, Layering, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruit is a round nut that is encased in a green, semi-fleshy husk that turns brown. The nut measures up to 2 inches long. It matures in the fall and has a very thin wrinkled shell. The nut is thin, smooth, and has shallow furrows. The meat of the nut is creamy white and sweet.
Color: Green. Type: Nut. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: The nuts are edible. They may be eaten fresh, roasted, and salted.
History & Origin
Origin: Europe to Central Asia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Drought
- +Attracts: Moths, Small Mammals
- +Wildlife value: Fruit is eaten by small mammals. This plant supports Hickory Horndevil (Citheronia regalis) larvae which have one brood and appear from May to mid-September. Adult Hickory Horndevil moths do not feed. Also a larval host plant to the Luna moth.
- +Edible: The nuts are edible. They may be eaten fresh, roasted, and salted.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Comfrey
Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch and fertilizer
White Clover
Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover, and attracts beneficial insects
Chives
Repels aphids and other pests while improving soil health
Marigold
Deters nematodes and other soil pests, attracts beneficial predatory insects
Lavender
Repels moths and other insects, tolerates walnut's allelopathic compounds
Wild Garlic
Natural pest deterrent and relatively tolerant of juglone from walnut roots
Elderberry
Attracts beneficial insects, tolerates partial shade under walnut canopy
Kentucky Bluegrass
Forms durable ground cover and shows good tolerance to walnut's juglone
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Highly sensitive to juglone toxin produced by walnut roots, causes wilting and death
Black Walnut
Competition for resources and concentrated allelopathic effects when planted too closely
Apple Trees
Susceptible to juglone toxicity, which can stunt growth and reduce fruit production
Potatoes
Very sensitive to juglone, leading to yellowing, wilting, and poor tuber development
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346394)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good overall disease resistance, late leafing avoids spring diseases
Common Pests
Walnut husk fly, aphids, scale insects
Diseases
Walnut blight, occasional crown rot in wet soils