Conditions for Growing Almonds

Long-lived trees, almonds (Prunus amygdalus, also labeled P. cummunis and P. dulcis) can produce 25 to 40 lbs. of nuts each year. Almost all almond cultivars require another almond variety planted nearby for successful pollination. Almonds aren't difficult to grow, but they do require a warm climate free of late spring frosts.

The earliest of the deciduous fruit and nut trees to bloom, almonds flower in February in California, site of all commercial almond orchards in the United States. Although the trees are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone 5 through Zone 9, almonds only bear nuts in areas such as California's central valley and the Southwest that are frost-free for most of the year, because of their early bloom time. Depending on the cultivar, almonds require up to 240 warm days between bloom and harvest. For areas with a marginally suitable climate, try the late-blooming cultivars "Halls Hardy" and "Star." Almonds grown in areas prone to late frosts make good ornamental trees, but nut production is sporadic.

Plant almonds in full sun for best nut production. Early morning sunshine dries dew from the leaves quickly, reducing the likelihood of fungal leaf diseases. Insufficient sunlight reduces nut production.

Almonds require well-drained soil, as they become susceptible to disease and decline quickly in constantly wet soil. They're also salt-intolerant, so they're not a good choice for growing near the ocean or areas prone to winter road salt runoff. Otherwise, almonds grow well in a wide range of soils, from sand to clay and loam, and rarely need fertilization unless the soil is very poor. They grow best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Have your local extension service perform a soil test before planting, and request soil amendment and fertilizer recommendations for growing almonds in your area.

California and the Southwest receive rain in the winter and very little during the summer, so irrigation is required in those areas for good nut production. Flat orchards are flooded periodically, but those on sloping terrain are watered with sprinklers or drip irrigation. The use of sprinklers encourages leaf disease, however, and should be avoided in home landscapes. For the home gardener, if rainfall in your area is insufficient, use a garden hose or drip irrigation to water the almond trees at the roots, and avoid wetting the leaves. Almonds require a deep soaking at least once every three weeks, but in hot summer weather, a weekly soaking encourages maximum nut formation. Be sure to allow heavy soils to dry out slightly between waterings.