How to Grow

How to grow video guide

From seed

Fill a container with tap water and put at least a dozen almonds into it.

Allow them to soak for at least 8 hours and then drain them.

Why so many nuts if you only want one tree? Because of their uncertain germination rate.

Using a nutcracker, partially crack the almond shell to expose the interior nut.

Don’t remove the shell.

Arrange the nuts in a container lined with damp paper towel or sphagnum moss and cover the container with plastic wrap to retain moisture.

Place the container of nuts into the refrigerator for 2-3 months, checking each week to be sure is still moist inside.

This process is called stratification.

Once the seeds have been stratified, fill a container with potting soil.

Press each seed down into the soil and inch (2.5 cm.) or so.

Water the seeds and place the container in a warm, sunny area.

Water once a week or when the soil feels dry 1 ½ inches (4 cm.) down into the soil.

Transplant the plants when they are 18 inches (46 cm.) in height

From seedling

They thrive in mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers in full sun.

If your region doesn’t fall within these parameters, it’s unlikely an almond tree will set fruit for you.

Very few varieties of almond tree are self fertile, and therefore need cross pollination for fruit production, so you’ll need to plant at least two trees.

If space is at a premium, you can even plant two in the same hole, wherein the trees will grow together and intertwine, allowing the flowers to cross pollinate.

Try All-in-One for a self fertile, popular variety.

In a pot

Almonds can be grown in large pots or planter boxes, but look for dwarf, self-pollinating/fertile forms such as 'All In One'.

Choose a pot at least 600mm wide.

From Plant

Almond trees are deep rooted and should be planted in deep, fertile, and well-draining sandy loam.

Almond trees should be planted 19 to 26 feet (6-8 m.) apart and irrigated despite the fact that the trees are drought tolerant.

An application of nitrogen and organic fertilizer will aid in growth.

These trees have high nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) requirements.

During the spring bloom season, care of almond trees should include fertilization of mature trees with urea or manure, watered in or small doses of nitrogen for young trees.

Drip irrigation should be initiated daily for those newly planted, with the trees needing at least 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) of water.

Established trees can get by on 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) of weekly watering in the absence of rain and may require additional watering during times of drought.

Also, if the tree is planted in shallow or sandy soil, it will need more water.



During the summer, continue to irrigate and fertilize at the same rate as the spring application up until harvest.

Ready to harvest

The harvesting of almond tree fruit occurs after the hulls split and the shell becomes dry and brown in color.

Almonds need 180 to 240 days for nuts to mature wherein the nut (embryo and shell) has dried to minimum moisture content.

To harvest the almonds, shake the tree, then separate the hulls from the nut.

Freeze your almond nuts for one to two weeks to kill any residual worms and then store in plastic bags.

Collect seed

To harvest the almonds, shake the tree, then separate the hulls from the nut.