In farming carried out with the principle of organic farming, hazelnut, grapes, and fig are the products mostly produced in terms of both the number of producers and the crop area.
In our country, organic hazelnut production is carried out in Ordu, Samsun, Bolu, and Zonguldak.
How the Organic Hazelnut Cultivation is Carried Out?
Shifting period of organic hazelnut farming is 3 years. This period refers to the time spent from the start of production to certification. In cases when organic farm manure cannot found, then green manure can be used. Green manure plants for hazelnut gardens are plants such as oat, vetch, and wild peas. Generally, pruning times are in autumn months. Harvesting time may not be same for all kinds of hazelnuts. Some species may ripe early, and some species may ripe later. Therefore, it shall be an appropriate step to harvest when the dominant specie ripe, in the organic hazelnut gardens established with mixed species. The facts that when the hazelnuts start to move within the shell, the shells become red well, and 3/4 of the yield falls down when the branches, which carry the plump and healthy fruits, are shaken, are the indicators that the hazelnut reached to ripeness for harvesting.
Collecting from the branches by hand and collecting the different species within the same hazelnut garden without mixing them each other shall be the appropriate harvesting forms. The hazelnuts, which are brought to the threshing field are dried for 3 to 5 days in the sun by stirring with shovels and rakes; separated from their husks via the husk machine, and cleansed from dust and soil by passing through the blower fan; and filled into the sacks and made ready to be brought to the market.
