How do you get nuts on the side of a cake?

[chipo]

I am making my FIL's b-day cake on friday and I am gonna cover it in cream, I would like to put chopped or flaked nuts around the side, but how do I do it? Just chuck the nuts at the cake and hope for the best?
Help please

Could you spread the nuts on the worktop and then roll the cake, on its side, in them? you might have to cream the top afterwards so that you can hold the cake on the top an bottom. Not sure that's the best way, hopefully a better idea will be along in a mo!

Sorry for awful typing.

Not an expert, so wait for someone else to answer! But if I was doing it, would cover the sides in cream first, then holding the top and bottom of the cake, roll it in the nuts. Then decorate the top afterwards.
Might be worth a try if no-one comes up with a better idea.

x post- great minds Bristols! Almost word for word!

I think you would just have to throw the nuts at the side - if the chopped nuts are small, you could put them in a dredger and use that to shake it on??

Thanks girls, don't think I can roll it in the nuts cos the cake will be filled with strawberries and cream so might be a bit awkward. Think will just have to chuck the nuts at the cream and hope for the best.

sounds gorgeous! Good luck!

This is bound to be too late - but the way I was taught is as follows:
Place cake on greaseproof paper, spread cream on side of cake, sprinkle nuts around cake (on paper), lift paper slightly and use small palette knife to pick nuts up and press on cake, ideally you would be using an icing turntable & would revolve cake around as needed - but don't think too many people have these to hand!
How did it go?

It went ok made a huge mess in the kitchen but it turned out ok cosidering its only the second birthday cake I've ever made. here they are

looks fab!