Can cashews be grown at home in non-tropical regions?

Having an approach is essential when raising cashew trees outside tropical climates. I grew dwarf types like Anacardium occidentale ‘Nanum', in Ohio's winter using heated greenhouses. My experience indicates some of the factors are: 24-inch deep containers, a sandy soil mix, and 12 hours or more of light each day. A little patience is way better than perfection; my first harvest took 4 years.

Preparing soil helps with root rot issues. Mix 60% coarse sand, 30% compost, and 10% perlite for drainage. I learned this after losing three saplings in the dirt with heavy clay content. Test pH every month, and cashews thrive between 4.5-6.5. To balance alkalinity, use lime. Sulfur for acidity. Balance is not an option.

Urushiol, the toxin in unprocessed shells, is not something that you should take lightly. When I process shells, I always put on ANSI-rated goggles and nitrile gloves. Applying heat to shells breaks down the urushiol into harmless compounds, but I know from a cooking adventure in my kitchen, I need to take it outdoors to a grill. Freezing shells down to -4°F (-20°C) is valuable for keeping a lot of them, but this slows down productivity.

Vertical stacking is where urban gardeners really shine. The client with a balcony that's 8ft long and gets 5 lbs per year from raised, tiered planters demonstrates this. The three keys to growing tomatoes or any other edibles vertically: dwarf rootstock, drip irrigation and biweekly sprays of zinc. The only limit is your imagination, not space. Get started. Track your success. Modify efforts based on the vigor of the branches and color of the leaves.

Read the full article: How to Grow Cashews: Expert Tips for Home Cultivation