How to Grow Almond
Prunus dulcis
Almonds flower very early, so a warm, sheltered, south-facing wall is essential in the UK to protect blossom from late frosts. Plant in well-drained soil and keep young trees watered during dry spells. Most varieties need a pollination partner, so plant two compatible cultivars or choose a self-fertile type. Prune in late winter to maintain an open centre and watch for peach leaf curl, the most common problem.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Early spring with a balanced fertiliser. A nitrogen-rich feed helps young trees establish.
Watch For
- Peach leaf curl
- Brown rot
- Shot hole disease
- Aphids
Companions
Clover, Comfrey, Garlic
Track your Almond care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun; south-facing wall ideal in the UK
Full sun is essential. In the UK, a warm, sheltered, south-facing wall is ideal to protect the very early blossom from frost and to ripen the wood.
🌿 Spacing
5m between trees; 3.5-4m for fan-trained
Allow 5m between trees for good airflow. Wall-trained fans need about 3.5-4m of wall space.
💧 Watering
Regular watering when young; water during fruiting
Water young trees regularly during dry spells for the first two to three years. Established trees are fairly drought-tolerant but benefit from watering during fruit development.
🌱 Fertilizing
Balanced feed in spring; mulch with compost
Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring. A nitrogen-rich feed helps young trees establish. Mulch with well-rotted compost to retain moisture and feed the soil.
✂️ Pruning
Late winter pruning for open centre and airflow
Prune in late winter before bud break. Open the centre for airflow to reduce disease risk. Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches.
🌿 Support
Stake young trees; wires for fan training
Stake young trees for the first two to three years. Wall-trained fans need a system of horizontal wires spaced 15-20cm apart.
❄️ Overwintering
Fleece blossom against frost; copper spray for leaf curl
Flowers very early and is vulnerable to late frost. Have fleece ready to drape over the tree when frost is forecast during flowering. Spray with copper fungicide in autumn and at bud swell to prevent peach leaf curl.
Growing Tips
Site for warmth
Choose a sheltered, south-facing spot to protect the very early blossom from frost damage.
Fleece against frost
Have fleece ready to drape over the tree when frost is forecast during the flowering period.
Winter prune for health
Prune in late winter before bud break. Open the centre for airflow to reduce disease risk.
Harvest at hull split
Harvest when hulls split and begin to dry. Shake branches over a sheet and dry nuts in a single layer.
Guard against leaf curl
Spray with a copper fungicide in autumn and again at bud swell to help prevent peach leaf curl.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of green or black insects on shoot tips and undersides of young leaves; curled and distorted foliage
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
- Encourage ladybirds, lacewings, and hoverflies
- Spray with a contact insecticide containing pyrethrins
- Use a systemic insecticide containing acetamiprid for persistent infestations
Pest Red Spider Mite
Identification: Fine webbing on undersides of leaves; leaves develop a mottled, bronzed appearance and may drop prematurely
- Mist foliage regularly to raise humidity — mites dislike moist conditions
- Introduce the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis under cover
- Spray with insecticidal soap
- Spray with a miticide if infestation is severe
Disease Peach Leaf Curl Taphrina deformans
Symptoms: Leaves become thickened, puckered, and distorted with red or purple blistering in spring; severely affected leaves drop early
Treatment: Pick off and destroy affected leaves as soon as they appear. The tree will produce a second flush of healthy foliage
Prevention: Spray with a copper-based fungicide in mid-January and again in mid-February before bud burst. Shelter wall-trained trees with a rain cover from November to May to keep buds dry
Disease Brown Rot Monilinia spp.
Symptoms: Fruit develops soft brown patches that spread rapidly, often with concentric rings of grey-white fungal spores; mummified fruit may hang on the tree over winter
Treatment: Remove and destroy all affected and mummified fruit promptly. Prune out any infected wood
Prevention: Maintain an open canopy through summer pruning. Remove mummified fruit in winter. Avoid damaging fruit during handling
Disease Bacterial Canker Pseudomonas syringae pv. morsprunorum
Symptoms: Sunken, oozing patches on bark; gummy amber resin exudes from affected areas. Branches may die back; leaves develop shot-hole symptoms
Treatment: Prune out affected branches in summer when the tree is actively growing and can heal wounds quickly. Cut well below visible canker
Prevention: Prune only in summer (June–August), never in winter. Avoid wounding bark. Keep trees healthy and well-fed
Popular Varieties
Nonpareil, Marcona, Robijn, Texas (Mission), Ingrid
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 500 cm |
| Row spacing | 600 cm |
| Mature height | 500 cm |
| Mature spread | 400 cm |
Requires good airflow. Very susceptible to frost during early bloom; site selection is critical.
Log Almond in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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