How Much Water Do Almond Trees Need? Watering Guide
How often to water almond trees, water needs of mature orchards, deficit irrigation, watering young and backyard trees, and signs of over- and underwatering.
Almond trees are drought tolerant and can survive on rain in a Mediterranean climate, but fully irrigated orchards produce several times more. A mature California orchard uses roughly 1,100–1,300 mm (43–51 in) of water a year, about 4 acre-feet per acre, which is why almond water usage is often in the news. Backyard trees need far less: deep watering every 1–3 weeks in summer.
Watering Young Trees
- At planting: 20–40 litres (5–10 gallons).
- First summer: deep watering once a week.
- Second and third summers: every 10–14 days.
- Water slowly over the whole root zone, not just at the trunk.
Watering Mature Trees
Water demand peaks in mid-summer during kernel fill. Key stages:
- Bloom and early nut growth: usually covered by winter and spring rain.
- Kernel fill (late spring to summer): stress reduces kernel size and next year's flower buds.
- Hull split: mild stress just before hull split reduces hull rot.
- Post-harvest: keep watering; this is when next year's flower buds form.
Drip and Deficit Irrigation
Most orchards use drip or micro-sprinklers. Regulated deficit irrigation, cutting water by around 30–50% around hull split, saves water with small yield losses. In rain-fed Spanish and Middle Eastern orchards, almonds survive on 300–500 mm of rain but yield only a fraction of irrigated trees.
Backyard Trees
Give an established garden tree a deep soak every 1–3 weeks in a hot, dry summer, enough to wet the soil 50–60 cm (2 ft) deep. Mulch helps. Reduce watering in autumn and stop in winter unless very dry.
Signs of Water Stress
- Too little: dull, drooping or curling leaves, early leaf drop, shrivelled kernels.
- Too much: yellowing leaves, crown or root rot, gumming at the base, hull rot.
More Almond Tree Guides
- How to Grow Almond Trees: The Complete Guide
- How to prune almond trees
- Almond tree diseases and pests
- Why an almond tree isn't producing
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water does an almond tree need?
Mature irrigated orchards use about 1,100–1,300 mm per year; backyard trees need deep watering every 1–3 weeks in summer.
Is it true almonds use a lot of water?
Fully irrigated orchards do; about 4 acre-feet per acre per year in California. Deficit irrigation reduces this.
How often should I water a young almond tree?
About once a week, deeply, in its first summer.
TarlaTapan guides focus on practical, field-tested growing advice. Corrections and suggestions are welcome at info@tarlatapan.tr.