How do almonds grow?
Almonds are not that difficult to produce, you just need to do your proper research before growing an almond tree. Almond trees are not self-fertile, this means that they need another tree variety within their radius so that cross-fertilization can happen, usually honeybees take care of this. You can also use different varieties of almond trees to cross-fertilize, you can even plant them on almost the same spot, this way the branches of the different trees will mix up with each other but the flowers will still be able to cross-fertilize. Perfect conditions for almonds to grow in
The nuts (well, they are actually not nuts but drupes) have a similar look and feel like peaches. Before the shell of the almond splits, the shells is still soft and has a greenish color. When the shells splits and the almonds become visible it is time to harvest the nuts. It is important to make sure that your nuts are protected from birds, squirrels and insects since they also really enjoy almonds.As we mentioned in the article about the almond tree, the almond grows best in full sun. The type of soil does not really matter that much but the best soil for the almond tree would be a deep, well-drained, sandy soil that is not too salty. If you want your almond tree to produce maximum fruit (almonds) it is necessary to live in a hot climate such as California. Especially winters are dangerous for the tree since it is really vulnerable.
Selecting almond seeds
Planting an almond tree starts with the selection of the right seeds. Some almonds are not capable of producing fruit. Some almonds are bitter and can actually be fatal, you do not want to grow a tree of those! Some varieties of almonds have the ability of self-fertilization, this way you do not have to plant another row of other trees next to the almond trees. When you shop for almond seeds be sure to buy unprocessed seeds (i.e. raw seeds), if you buy processed seeds such as baked or roasted seeds no tree will grow out of it. Almonds that you can find in the supermarket are also not really suitable for growing an almond tree. We advise you go to your local garden-store or find a legitimate seed seller online that can provide you with the right almond tree seeds.Digging your hole
Step two is going to be digging a hole to plant your seeds in. If you want to plant more than one almond tree you need to dig multiple holes that are about 30 feet apart from eachother to make cross-fertilization happen. Make sure that you use a rake to loosen up the soil so the roots of the tree can grow freely. The seeds can only be planted in the fall, they will germinate during winter time and eventually emerge during spring. You will need about five seeds per tree.Watering your almond tree and keeping it free from bugs
The almonds need a lot of water and sun to grow. If you do not get enough water from rainful it might a good idea to use a watering can to make sure you hydrate the plant. You can also consider buying an irrigation system. If you live a very windy area you might want to buy a few sticks so you can support the almond plant during its first few months of growing, we do not want the plant to break!The trees are also really vulnerable to insects and plant diseases. Insects that you will have to watch out for are spider-mites, leaf rollers and caterpillars. You can use an organic pesticide to keep the insects away.