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Growing Almonds: Quick Facts


Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, or anywhere else, almonds are a great addition or re-addition to your plant family.  Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing almonds.


Jump to:

Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading


What Family Do Almonds Belong To?

Almonds (Prunus amygdalus and Prunus dulcis) belong to the Rosaceae family, also known as the rose family.


Some of their relatives include strawberries, cherries, and pears.


What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Almonds?

The minimum container size recommended for young almond trees is 10 gallons.  The tree can then be "potted up" into larger and larger containers for the first 2-3 years of its life.


After this, the tree should be transplanted into the ground.  A mature almond tree's roots can stretch up to 12 feet from its trunk.


Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.


What Are Good Companion Plants for Almonds?

Some of almonds' best companions are as follows:


What Are Bad Companion Plants for Almonds?

Almonds are not compatible with every plant.  Some things to avoid planting with almonds are as follows:


What Soil Conditions Do Almonds Need?

Almonds prefer well-draining, loamy soil with a uniform texture and a pH between 5.8 and 7.0.


How Long Do Almonds Take to Germinate?

Almonds take 4-12 days to germinate at a temperature of 50-75°F.


How Much Sun Do Almonds Need?

Almonds can grow in full sun to part shade.


In other words, they grow fastest in full sun.  They will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.  Almond trees grown in part shade will likely produce fewer nuts than those grown in the sun.


Sun recommendations can vary by region, and almonds grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.

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    How Much Water Do Almonds Need?

    Almond trees can be watered 0.5 inch per week or when the top 1.5 inches of soil have dried out.


    See our How Often to Water Plants article here for more information about watering amounts and frequency.


    What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Almonds?

    Almonds grow fastest in temperatures of 45-95°F.


    This is their ideal temperature range.  Although they will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.


    Most almond trees are hardy to around 20°F when dormant and 30°F when in flower.  


    They generally need 200-300 chill hours — hours where the temperature is 45°F or below — each winter.


    Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety.  Some almond varieties are bred for later harvests and others for warmer climates.


    How Tall Do Almonds Get?

    The average height of almond trees is 4 to 25 feet.


    Are Almonds Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?

    Almonds are perennial, meaning that they live for longer than a couple years.


    On average, almond trees live for 30-35 years.  Some almond trees are around 100 years old, but that is not the norm in most regions.


    How Do Almonds Reproduce?

    Almonds reproduce by seed.  The nuts we eat are the seeds of the plant.


    How Many Almonds Are Produced Per Plant?

    For almonds, how many are produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type, variety, and growing conditions.


    Most almond trees produce 30-50 pounds of nuts per plant per year.  


    They typically start producing 3-5 years after they are planted in the ground.


    Can Almonds Be Ingested?

    Almond seeds (nuts) are edible.


    Almond seeds (nuts) have nutritive and demulcent properties and can be used in herbal preparations.  The most common preparations are tea (decoction) and herbal honey.


    Almonds contain a pre-cyanide compound called amygdalin.  In normal culinary amounts, they are generally recognized as safe.  However, any especially bitter-tasting almonds should be discarded for this reason.


    See this article for more information about ingestibility in general.  See the simple uses article linked below for examples of ways to prepare this specific plant.



    Further Reading

    This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners.  Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.


    When you have a bumper crop of almonds rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures.  Check out my article on quick, simple uses for almonds here!


    Almonds are featured in these Plant to Plate articles:


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    Get the Plan Ahead! Printable Garden Planner (normally $10) absolutely FREE with email signup. You'll also get our latest content and updates sent directly to your inbox for FREE. Plan your next garden better!

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