It typically takes about five years to grow a tree that is mature enough to produce nuts.
The fruit growing on almond trees initially looks nothing like the almond you later end up eating.
The"nut" is nestled inside the layers of a leathery green hull.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Inside the hull is a hard, light-colored shell with a brown seed, the almond.
The tree won’t tolerate clay soil.
Plant almond trees at least 10 feet away from sewer and water lines.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Space your almond trees 15 to 20 feet apart.
Almond trees have one main long taproot.
Dig a hole that is deep and wide enough to fit the taproot without bending or trimming it.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Place the taproot in the center of the hole and gently spread out the other roots.
Place a potted tree at the same depth it was growing in the pot.
If planting in a windy location, stake the tree for support.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Tie it only loosely to the stake; the tree should be able to sway.
Remove the stake after the first season.
Almond Tree Care
The most critical aspect of growing almonds successfully is a suitable climate.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
If those conditions are in place, the tree does not require a lot of care.
Soil
The soil should have excellent drainage with apH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Sandy soil is best.
Poorly drained or heavy clay soil is not suitable for growing almonds.
Till the soil deeply before planting so that the roots can strike down deep.
Water
Almond trees need a lot of water, especially during the nut development stage.
Aim for about 3 to 4 inches of water per week, or enough to keep the soil moist.
However, be mindful of overwatering, which may cause root rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Almond trees have very specific temperature requirements.
The trees are highly vulnerable to severe cold and a spring frost is damaging to the flowers.
Summers must be hot with temperatures between 75 to 95 degrees F and low humidity.
It is for these reasons that almond nut production in the United States occurs mainly in California.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your almond tree in spring with abalanced fertilizer.
Apply this fertilizer alongthe drip line of the tree.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
Pollination
Most almond trees are not self-fertile.
For cross-pollination, you need two or more cultivars whose flowering times line up.
An alternative is to select a self-fertile variety.
Types of Almond Trees
Sweet Almond Tree vs.
The almond trees you’ll find at nurseries are all sweet almond trees.
The easiest way to get the almonds off the tree is to tap the branches with a pole.
Lay a tarp down ahead of time to catch the almonds as they fall to make pick-up easier.
After gathering the almonds, they must be dried properly, or else they become moldy.
Some varieties are also protected by a trademark and may not be propagated in any form.
is the worst offender of the crop.
The pest bores into the almonds and feeds on them.
Leafrollers are another pest that eats the buds of almond trees.
Otherwise, look out foraphidsandscalethat produce honeydew (insect waste), attracting ants to the tree.
Almond trees are also susceptible to many fungal diseases.
Fungal infections, such as canker, can kill the tree.
Other fungal problems, such asanthracnoseandleaf spot, are controlled with fungicides.
It can take as long as five years or longer until the tree starts producing almonds.
The first phase of harvesting almonds is to shake them off the trees.
Once the shells are dry, a sweeper grabs the nuts for further harvesting steps.
Almond trees are propagated by grafting.
University of California IPM.
