Almond Self-Pollinating
Almonds have similar requirements to peaches, because they are basically a peach that has gone nuts! All puns aside, this winter flowering nut tree should be protected from frost during flowering and nut development. Plant in a free-draining soil as waterlogging will kill trees. While drought tolerant once established, regular watering throughout summer is essential for adequate cropping. Fertlise in autumn with Citrus and Fruit fertiliser, and mulch with aged compost in early spring. Nuts are irresistible to possums, parrots and Cockatoos, to name a few, so protect with netting or a strong cage. Harvest nuts when the outer coating splits. Pick them all at once as autumn rain can rot the nuts. Remove from the shell and dry nuts for a few days before storing. PLANTING TIPS: 1. Before planting, water with a weak seaweed solution to help minimise transplant shock. 2. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Remove weeds and grass to avoid competition with you new tree. 3. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and one and a half times deeper than the plant pot. 4. Backfill compost and soil to the same depth as the pot so that the soil in the pot is level with the soil surface. 5. Remove the pot and place your tree in the hole. Backfill with soil and compost mixture. Firm down gently and stake if required. 6. Mulch around the base with organic mulch to prevent competition from weeds, but always keep it away from the trunk. 7. Water now and regularly until plant establishes in the garden.