Hybrid Pomegranate

Growing an almond tree requires an upfront investment of time and resources.

1. Choose a sunny site. Almond trees need ample room to grow because they can grow up to 30 feet in height. Plant your sapling 15 to 20 feet away from buildings, power lines, and other trees. Almond trees need full sun and well-draining loam soil to thrive.
2. Prep your sapling. Setting up your almond tree for success starts before it's even in the ground. Using a garden hose, spray off the sapling's rootball to make sure it's hydrated and that the roots make good contact with the soil.
3. Dig your hole. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate your plant's root system. If you've bought a bare-root or container-grown tree, dig your hole deep enough to match the depth at which your tree was planted in the nursery—most likely 18 to 24 inches. To make sure your hole is deep enough, gently place the plant inside and rest the taproot firmly against the bottom. If the base remains above the top of the hole, don't force it deeper. The taproot is sensitive and easily damaged by aggressive handling or trimming.
4. Plant your tree. Place your sapling in the center of the hole and backfill it with well-draining soil. Firmly tamp down the soil to remove any excess air while filling. Immediately water your sapling with at least one gallon of water. Place a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain soil moisture.
5. Prune small twigs. Trim off any small twigs near the base of the tree. Young trees need pruning in order to focus all of their growth on their trunk and branches.
6. Exercise patience. The almond tree's dormant period lasts about 5 years from seedling to fruiting, so don’t be alarmed if nuts don’t appear on your tree for the first few years.