Almond trees are deciduous trees native to the Southeastern and middle Asia and this plant belongs to the rose family Rosaceae.
This plant is known for its highly nutritive, edible fruits regarded as nuts but they are considered as nuts since the fruits appear like other stone fruits.
The almond tree belongs to the rose family which is made up of other tree plants such as apples, apricots, peaches, cherries, and nectarines and there are basically two types of almond trees that are known around the world; sweet and bitter almonds.
The sweet almond trees are known to be grown as ornamental trees in most places or regions around the world since not all of them produce fruits but they adorn the environment with their intoxicating and brilliant flowers, therefore, you need to know to choose the right almond tree to grow to meet your need.
Almond trees grow as wild trees in some parts of Africa and this tree is known to have the ability to reach a height of about 15 to 30 feet depending on the specific species being grown.
Almond trees are sun-loving plants and they do not do well in areas that get a lot of shade and won’t do well in such environments.
Almond trees can be propagated from seedlings and you can also purchase seedlings of this tree from nurseries to alleviate yourself from going through the stress of cracking seeds.
Growing almond trees is an awesome activity to engage in as this will give you an edge in understanding what is involved in growing a new and productive tree and being assured of its performance.
Planting an almond tree is a very easy activity to engage in and with the right tools and materials, you will be able to grow almond trees with relative ease.
In this article, we will take you through the various steps involved in growing almond trees with relative ease so if you wish to learn more about propagating almond trees you should read through. Have a nice time planting your almond tree!
When is the right time to plant Almond trees?
Having a clue of the right time when planting almond trees is to be carried out is of great essence in getting the best result possible.
Almond trees are small to medium-sized trees that grow beautifully well during the spring season through fall and can be a quite awesome decorative piece in gardens and yards where they are found.
Since planting almond trees could either be from seeds or seedlings the time when each planting is to be carried out varies greatly and they will be discussed below. Here are the times best suited for planting almond trees:
When growing from seeds:
If you are growing your almond trees from seeds, the best time to propagate the seed is during late fall so as to give the seed enough time to germinate.
Germination during this period will give the plant enough time to be able to grow well in spring. So if you want to grow your tree from seeds, growing in the fall is your best shot.
When growing from seedlings:
This is the most popular way in which planting almond trees is usually done as you must have eliminated the process involved in germinating them from seeds.
Therefore, if you want to grow your almond tree from seedlings (either potted or bare roots) the best time to carry this out is during early spring or just after the winter season. NB: planting almond trees from seedlings is more expensive compared to that from seeds.
How to plant an Almond tree
Almond trees are interesting plants and apart from being a source of delicious and nutritious fruits, they are also beautiful flowering trees that can be used for adorning your home.
In this section, we will be going through the various steps involved in growing almond trees so you should follow each step to get the best result possible.
Collect seeds:
The seeds for almond tree propagation must be one that still has their protective husks intact. Make sure that the seed you’ve chosen to grow has not been infected by insects and they must still be as hard as possible – soft seeds should be discarded.
Select seeds from healthy and productive species of trees and be certain of the kind of species that they belong to. The seeds should be collected in a large bowl.
Prepare seeds for germination:
Water should be added to the seeds and you should allow them to soak overnight. After standing overnight, the seeds should be cracked slightly with the use of a nutcracker and make sure that the shell is still very intact. Seeds that have developed molds should be discarded as they will not thrive at all.
Plant the seeds:
Good seeds (those that lack mold) should be planted in a flower pot filled with potting soil. The pot used for planting the seed must be one with a good drainage hole at its bottom.
Make sure that the planting is done with the seeds being 1 -2 inches below the soil surface and the cracked region should be in the upward direction.
NB: the first three steps are not necessary for those who do not want to grow their trees from seeds so you can easily purchase seedlings from nurseries or recommendable farms.
Purchase seedlings:
If you do not want to go through the stress of growing almond trees from seeds, the best way to grow your tree is from seedlings.
The seedlings needed for planting your almond tree can be purchased from a standard nursery and it is very convenient. Just make sure you order the right species for your consumption.
Site selection:
Almond trees do well in the sun and shade will definitely kill them so you should be certain of the availability of sunlight in the place you are choosing. The site must get enough sunlight and the soil must be one that is very fertile and well-draining.
Choosing a soil that does not drain well will expose your almond tree root to rot and this can be very disastrous and discouraging for your plants’ survival.
NB: you should choose the perfect spot for growing your almond tree beforehand as this is very critical for the plants’ survival.
Prepare the site:
After successfully choosing a spot for your plant, the next thing to do is to prepare the soil for your plant.
You can add organic fertilizers to the soil about 2 weeks prior to planting or add compost or manure to make the soil suitable for almond’s development.
You can also till the soil to speed up the rate of decomposition and also improve its texture. Make mounds for growing the almond tree seedlings.
Transplant the seedling or sprout (from seeds):
Once the seed has developed well and you have your purchased seedling, the next thing to do is transplant the seedling.
The seedlings should be carefully pushed into the center of the mound until it is below the soil surface. The use of mounds will help to prevent water from gathering around the root which can cause damages to the plant as a whole.
If you are growing more than one tree, it is recommended to leave a space of 20 feet to allow for the spread of the tree.
Water thoroughly:
After planting, it is recommended that you give enough water that will support the growth of the plant. Almond trees need water to be able to withstand the stress and so as to be able to germinate well.
Also since they grow well in sunny environments, it is important to provide our plant with enough water to sustain their growth under such a condition.
How to care for Almond trees
Growing plants without caring for them will affect their germination, productivity, and survival potential.
After planting, giving proper care to plants is also very essential so you should give them what they need. Below are various ways to give care to the planted almond tree.
Water supply:
Giving enough water to your plant will help your plant to do well during growth and this will also help them survive. The use of a drip irrigation system will also help to always supply water to your plant at all times.
Fertilizer application:
When almond trees are young, providing them with Nitrogen-based fertilizers will help with foliar development and this should be given a few weeks throughout the growing season.
However, matured trees will do well with fertilizers such as urea or manure to grow well. After adding fertilizers, make sure you water it well so as to make it available to the plant root.
Pruning operation:
When your plant begins to mature, pruning them during the dormant seasons will help to keep them in shape. This can as well improve the aesthetic quality of your plant as well as its productivity.
Conclusion
Growing the sweet almond tree is very easy and with well-detailed steps to follow you can be assured of a positive outcome. Have a nice time gardening!
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
