How to Grow Almond Trees: From Planting to Harvest

Almond trees (Prunus dulcis) are close relatives of peaches and grow best where summers are long, hot and dry. They are tough, drought-tolerant trees, but they have one weak point: they flower very early, often in late winter, so a single late frost can wipe out the crop. The other key to success is pollination: most varieties need a second, compatible variety and plenty of bees.

This guide covers the whole cycle; each section links to a detailed guide.

Climate

• Winter hardiness: dormant trees survive about −15 to −20 °C (−5 to 5 °F). USDA zones 7–9 suit almonds best.
• Chill: most varieties need roughly 200–500 chill hours (below about 7 °C / 45 °F) to flower well.
• Frost at bloom: open flowers are damaged at around −2 °C (28 °F) and young nuts at about −1 °C (30 °F). Avoid frost pockets and choose late-blooming varieties in cool areas.
• Summer: hot and dry. Humid, rainy springs bring fungal diseases and poor pollination.

Major growing regions are California, Spain, Australia, Iran, Turkey, Morocco, Italy and Chile. In the UK, northern Europe and Canada almonds grow, but crops are unreliable because of spring frosts and rain at bloom.

Varieties and Pollination

Classic varieties such as Nonpareil are self-incompatible and need a pollinizer that blooms at the same time. For gardens, choose a self-fertile variety such as 'All-in-One', 'Independence', 'Lauranne', 'Guara' or 'Tuono'. Even self-fertile trees set more nuts with bees around.

Planting and Spacing

Plant bare-root trees in late winter or container trees in autumn or spring, in full sun and deep, well-drained soil. Garden trees need about 5–6 m (16–20 ft) of space; orchards are typically planted 6–7 m apart in rows, or much closer in modern hedgerow systems.

Watering

Almonds survive dry summers but crop far better with irrigation. Young trees need deep weekly watering in summer. In commercial orchards full irrigation uses a lot of water, which is why deficit irrigation (less water during kernel fill) is widely used.

Feeding

Nitrogen and potassium are the key nutrients. Feed in early spring and, on cropping trees, after harvest. Boron and zinc matter for fruit set.

Pruning

Almonds are trained to an open vase with three or four main branches. Young trees are shaped in their first three years; mature trees need only light thinning. Many growers prune right after harvest in late summer or in dry, dormant weather to reduce disease.

Pests and Diseases

Common problems include peach leaf curl, shot hole, brown rot (blossom blight), gumming, aphids, mites, the peach twig borer and, in California, the navel orangeworm.

Harvest

Almonds are ready when the green hulls split open and dry, usually from August to October in the Northern Hemisphere (February to April in the Southern). The nuts are shaken from the tree, dried, hulled and stored dry and cool.

Yield

Trees from a nursery begin cropping at 3–4 years and reach full production at about 6–8 years. A mature irrigated tree typically gives around 8–12 kg (18–26 lb) of kernels; a rain-fed tree far less.

All Almond Tree Guides

• Where almonds grow: climate and zones
• Best almond varieties and pollination
• Planting almond trees and spacing
• Almond tree fertilizer
• How to water almond trees
• How to prune almond trees
• Almond tree diseases and pests
• Why an almond tree isn't producing
• When and how to harvest almonds
• How to store almonds
• Almond yield and profit
• Almond late frost protection

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take an almond tree to produce nuts?

About 3–4 years from planting a nursery tree, with full crops after 6–8 years.

Do you need two almond trees to get nuts?

For most varieties, yes. Self-fertile varieties such as 'All-in-One', 'Independence' or 'Lauranne' fruit alone.

Can you grow almonds in a cold climate?

Trees survive cold winters, but early flowers are often killed by spring frost; choose late-blooming, self-fertile varieties and a sheltered spot.

Can you grow an almond tree from a store-bought almond?

Raw, unpasteurised almonds can germinate, but most store almonds are pasteurised and seedlings are not true to type and may produce bitter nuts.

How big does an almond tree get?

Usually 4–7 m (13–23 ft) tall, smaller on dwarfing rootstocks or with pruning.