Almond: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How to plant an almond tree?
Choose a very sunny, warm, sheltered position for your almond tree. Avoid hollows exposed to late frost, because its flowers open early. Good drainage matters: calcareous soil is not automatically unsuitable, unlike ground that remains waterlogged. Consider the rootstock and nursery advice when matching the tree to your soil.
Allow space for its mature size and intended form. Check pollination too: many cultivars need another compatible almond flowering at the same time, while some are self-fertile. If a partner is needed, plan its position before planting.
Plant a bare-root tree during dormancy, avoiding frozen or saturated ground. Moisten the rootball of a potted tree before removing the container. Dig a wide hole, but no deeper than the roots. Keep the root collar at soil level and the graft above it, then backfill, firm gently and water.
Add a stake if needed and mulch while keeping the trunk clear. For pot growing, choose a suitable tree and a large, draining container rather than assuming it must be repotted every two years. Monitor moisture while the tree establishes and adjust feeding to the soil or potting compost.
When does almond blossom and how do you support this stage?
How do you prune an almond tree?
How do you successfully harvest almonds from your trees?
