It takes time for an acorn to grow into a large oak tree. But the patience is worth it, because hardly any tree in Germany grows as old and large as an oak. Tips for planting acorns.
How do I plant an acorn?
To successfully plant an acorn, collect ripe acorns, store them in a slightly damp freezer bag in the refrigerator for 40-45 days, and then plant them root end down in pots of garden soil. After the taproots have developed, the oak can be planted in the garden.
Grow an oak tree from acorns
This is what you need:
- Fresh, ripe acorns
- Freezer bags
- Small pots
- Garden soil
Use only ripe acorns
Collect the acorns directly from the tree. The fruits are ripe when they are shiny brown and can be easily removed from the cap.
Place the acorns in a water bath. Throw away any fruit that floats to the top because it is rotten.
Store acorns in a cool place
Acorns only germinate after a long period of cool temperatures.
Place the slightly damp acorns in a freezer bag in the refrigerator for 40 to 45 days.
Make sure that the fruit does not rot and does not become too dry or too moist.
Planting acorns
The acorns are planted after 45 days at the latest, regardless of whether they have already germinated or not.
Prepare small, clean pots with garden soil.
Put the acorns in the pot with the root end facing down and cover them with about two centimeters of soil.
As soon as the acorns have developed their long taproots, transplant them or place them in the desired location in the garden in spring.
Tips & Tricks
Of course you can also plant acorns directly outdoors. However, there is then a risk that squirrels and mice will use it. To be on the safe side, you should plant a larger number of acorns so that at least a few remain.
