How to Grow Almonds

Almonds, the delicious and nutritious nuts, come from the almond tree, a species native to the Middle East and South Asia, closely related to peaches, apricots, and other stone fruit trees. Almond trees are quite delicate; without being planted in the right climate and receiving proper care, these trees can struggle to survive, let alone produce fruit.

Ensure the climate conditions in your area are suitable for almond trees. Almond trees originate from the hot, dry climates of the Middle East and South Asia, thriving best in areas with hot summers, mild winters, and they don't do well in other conditions. Almond trees typically cannot survive in cold regions unless grown indoors in a controlled environment. Unless you're in a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern climate, you'll face challenges growing almonds outdoors.

• If you're in the United States, use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine if the climate in your region is appropriate for almonds. This map categorizes areas by their minimum temperatures, helping you identify which plants can thrive in each zone. To grow almonds, you need to select a region with a minimum zone rating of 6 – the higher the zone, the better.
• In the U.S., suitable regions include most of central and eastern California, parts of Arizona, Texas, and inland Florida.

Purchase almond seeds or seedlings. You have two options for starting to grow almonds – using seeds (raw, untreated almonds) or seedlings. If you choose to grow from seeds, you get to experience the entire process from the very beginning, but it requires more time and effort. On the other hand, seedlings are more convenient, though they can be a bit more expensive.

• If you're aiming to harvest edible almonds, be sure to choose seeds or seedlings from a sweet almond tree. Note that bitter almond trees are not edible, and not all sweet almond trees bear fruit. These varieties are suitable for ornamental purposes or shade. Ask the nursery staff if you're unsure which almond trees produce fruit.

Choose a sunny spot for planting your tree. Almond trees thrive in areas with plenty of sunlight. Before planting, you need to select a location in your garden that receives full, direct sunlight with no shading. While you'll initially plant your almond tree in a pot before transferring it to the ground, it's still important to choose the right planting site – almond trees cannot stay in pots for long.

• Additionally, make sure the area has good drainage. Almond trees do not tolerate waterlogged soil around their roots – this can lead to root rot.

Germinate the seeds. If you're planning to grow your almond tree from seeds (i.e., almonds with their shells), you need to start by germinating them in a controlled environment. Once the seeds begin to sprout, you can plant them in pots or directly in the ground. First, place the seeds in a large bowl (the more seeds, the better, as some may not germinate or could mold). Then, follow these steps to germinate:

• Fill the bowl with water and soak the seeds overnight.
• The next day, use a nutcracker to crack open the almond shells – the shells will remain attached, but you should be able to see the seed inside. Discard any seeds showing signs of mold.
• Fill a few small pots with potting soil. Ensure that the pots have drainage holes at the bottom.
• Sow the seeds about 2.5 - 5 cm deep, with the cracked shell facing up. Place the pots indoors in a sunny spot. Now, just wait for the seeds to sprout.

Plant the seedlings. Once your seedlings have sprouted (or if you've purchased seedlings for planting), prepare the planting site you've selected. Mound a small pile of soil about 2.5 - 5 cm high (with the width slightly greater than the height) for each seedling. Place each seedling into the mound, with its roots about 2.5 cm below the soil surface. This mounding technique helps prevent water from pooling around the roots, which could lead to serious issues like root rot.

• If you're planting sprouted seedlings, it's best to do so at the end of winter or early spring. If you're planting from seeds, sow them in late fall to allow them to germinate in the spring, marking the start of the growing season.
• If you're planting multiple trees, ensure that each tree is spaced at least 6 meters apart. This gives the roots enough space to expand and makes watering easier and more effective.

Water generously. Right after planting, almond trees require at least 4 liters of water to thoroughly saturate the soil. After the first watering, you'll need to continue a regular watering schedule as the tree grows. Almond trees thrive in hot climates, but they are not desert plants, so watering is crucial for their healthy development.

• Water each almond tree at least once a week, unless it rains. Trees that have established roots can survive on 5-7.5 cm of water when it's dry, but newly planted trees need more water.
• Another option is using a drip irrigation system, which is the most convenient choice if you have many trees.

Fertilize in the spring. When the growing season begins, you can apply the right amount of fertilizer to help your tree grow (though it's not mandatory). For young trees, use a low-nitrogen fertilizer every few weeks throughout the growing season. For mature trees, you'll need 1 kg of urea or 15 kg of manure in a single application.

• Regardless of the type of fertilizer you use, make sure to water the tree after applying. Fertilizers can burn the tree if applied without watering or if applied in excess.

Harvest the fruit in the fall. Almond trees will start to produce small, green almonds during the growing season. These hard, sour almonds aren't common in Western cuisine but are quite popular in the Middle East. In the fall, the almonds will harden, turn brown, and split open. When the outer shell has dried and turned brown, it's time to harvest. Read on for more details on the harvesting process.

• There are two types of almond trees: those that produce 'sweet' almonds and those that produce 'bitter' almonds. Bitter almond trees and their fruits are not safe to eat. Bitter almonds contain cyanide, a toxic substance. Just a handful of raw, untreated bitter almonds can be fatal. However, bitter almonds can be processed to remove toxins and made safe for consumption.

Prune the tree in early winter. Winter is the best time to prune your almond tree – it's easier and safer to prune while the tree is dormant. However, make sure to remove any diseased or dead branches at any time of the year. To prune, use pruning shears to trim the branches near the tips, and for thicker branches, use a saw.

• Pruning helps the tree grow evenly, healthily, and it looks more attractive. Proper pruning also strengthens the tree, making it sturdier and more resistant to pests and diseases.
• When pruning, aim to reduce the dense foliage and remove areas where branches rub together. You should also trim branches that are growing taller or farther out than the others to allow for more balanced growth.

Wait 5 years for the tree to bear fruit. Almond trees require time before they start producing fruit. Typically, this waiting period lasts about 5 years. However, depending on the variety, it can take up to 12 years for the tree to reach its maximum yield. Be patient – a healthy, mature tree can produce up to 20 kg of almonds in just one harvest season!

• Once the tree begins to bear fruit, it will continue to do so annually for up to 50 years, ensuring a bountiful harvest for many years to come.

Ensure the tree gets pollinated. It's essential to understand that most almond trees won't naturally bear fruit on their own. Almond trees require cross-pollination during sexual reproduction. This means that unless you plant a self-pollinating variety, you'll need to cross-pollinate the tree with another of a different variety for it to set fruit.

• The easiest way to achieve this is by planting different varieties of almond trees close together. When you plant two or three trees near each other, pollinating insects such as honeybees will naturally transfer pollen from one tree to another.
• You can also manually pollinate the trees by rubbing the flowered branch of one tree against the blooms of the other tree to mix the pollen. However, this manual process is more time-consuming and may not be as effective as natural pollination.

Graft another tree variety onto the existing tree. Grafting is a technique that can transform a non-fruit-bearing tree into one that produces fruit if the existing tree does not naturally reproduce but is grafted with a branch from another variety. Once the graft is successful, the grafted branch will bear fruit even if the rest of the tree does not. This method is used for certain tree types, such as citrus trees.

• There are various ways to graft a reproductive branch onto the existing tree. The simplest method is the T-budding technique, where a narrow incision is made on the "parent" tree, and the grafted branch is placed into the slit. The graft is then secured with a tie until the tree accepts the new branch.
• It's important to note that grafting is typically done in spring when the bark is moist and green.
• Remember, grafting won't work if the tree's inability to bear fruit is due to incorrect location, lack of nutrients, or other factors.

Harvest almonds when they are ripe. Almonds are typically harvested from July to October (in some countries like Saudi Arabia, harvest begins as early as late May), when the outer hulls are dry and cracked. You can shake the tree and collect the almonds that fall, making sure to discard any that are rotten. Almonds can also fall naturally without the tree being shaken. These fallen almonds are still edible unless they begin to spoil.

• After harvesting, you can freeze the almonds for 1-2 weeks to kill any pests that may still be on the shells.

Avoid excessive watering to prevent root rot. Root rot is a problem that can affect nearly every type of plant, including almond trees. It’s caused by fungi that grow on the roots when they stay in water for too long. Root rot is tough to treat, so it’s best to prevent it altogether. Never overwater your trees – water that pools around the base can be more harmful than beneficial.

• To prevent waterlogging, you can improve soil drainage by mixing in more organic matter to boost permeability. Be cautious, as shallow, heavy, and clayey soils have poor drainage.
• If root rot occurs (often showing symptoms like yellowing, wilting, and dead leaves), dig up the roots and remove any soft, black areas. If the condition doesn't improve, you’ll need to remove the tree to stop the fungus from spreading to the rest of your garden.

Effectively manage weeds. Weeds aren’t usually a major issue for mature almond trees, but they can pose a serious threat to young trees. Weeds compete aggressively for nutrients, water, and sunlight, and left unchecked, they may even "strangle" a young almond tree before it has a chance to grow.

• The best approach to dealing with weeds is to remove them early and regularly, especially during the first few months after planting. Aim to clear weeds within a 1.5-1.8m strip between tree rows – you can do this manually (using your hands or garden tools) or with herbicides.
• You can also lay down mulch or ground-cover fabric to suppress weed growth. This method is perfect for small home orchards.

Remove all almond nuts from the tree to prevent navel orangeworm infestations. During the winter, these pests take refuge in the leftover almonds on the tree, known as "mummies." As spring arrives, they become active again and damage the tree. The best way to prevent this pest is to remove all the mummies. Without a hiding place for the winter, the navel orangeworms can’t survive and won’t infest healthy almonds in the coming season.

• After removing the remaining almonds, use a lawn mower to crush them. The orangeworms can still live in whole mummies left on the ground.

Spray Bacillus thuringiensis to eliminate peach twig borers. Peach twig borers, true to their name, are small maggot-like insects that burrow into fruits like peaches and almonds. These pests can eat the fruit and cause significant damage to your trees. If you spot them (or notice chewed leaves, which are a sign they’re present), immediately apply pesticide to protect your trees. Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterial insecticide, is an excellent choice for killing these borers. Time your spray application to coincide with the larvae stage to eliminate them before they cause harm.

• In addition to these two pests, there are many other insects that may target almond trees – too many to list here. For more information, search "almond tree pests" or contact your local nursery or university botany department.
• You may also want to explore Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods. This approach combines biological, environmental, and chemical techniques to control pests more effectively than relying on just one method.

• Start planting seeds in the fall so that the trees begin to sprout at the beginning of spring.
• If you want to grow almond trees for harvesting nuts, you must plant two trees of the same variety.
• If planting multiple almond trees, space them 6-9 meters apart.

• Do not overwater. Almond trees are prone to rot and mold.