We’re Growing An Almond Tree! You May Be Able To As Well!
We're so happy to witness the growth of a new tree here at Mountain Jewel...
The almond in bright shining glory in early August of this year.
When I think of almonds, I think of dates, the desert, a Mediterranean climate. Certainly this has nothing to do with where we live! Yet we are still growing an almond and you may be able to as well!
Even the praying mantis is in love with this almond!
Growing Culture
We live in zone 6b in the Ozarks of Missouri and this almond is hardy to zone 5! It is called the All-In-One Almond and we ordered it through Stark Bros Nursery. It is the most vigorous tree on the homestead, rivaling the growth of mulberries!
Not only does has is been hassle free (except keeping Myrtle the chicken from scratching the roots up) it has a stately posture and is beautiful to watch from the gazebo.
One Year’s Growth!
Compared with the almond just a few months ago.
Yes this does produce a pit that is the edible almond seed! We are working on creating wide crotch angles to ensure branches won’t break when loaded with nuts. So far we are amazed by the growth this year!
I simply added a few spreader sticks on the major limbs (aka scaffolding) to ensure the branches would be at least at a 45 degree angle to the trunk. I will have to thin many of the branches out this winter to make sure the tree maintains good airflow sun penetration.
Photo from the Stark Bro’s website
Of the Almond they say:
Grow heart-healthy almonds at home. This hearty tree bears healthy crops of delicious, soft-shelled nuts with the crisp, gourmet flavor of California almonds. Heat-tolerant. Matures to be 12–15' tall, 15–20' wide. Ripens in early September. Self-pollinating.
Sounds awesome!
We will harvest scion wood during this winter’s pruning and graft them onto native plum rootstock. We’re focusing on growing more of what does well, and this tree is a winner so far. We are pleased to be in the experimental phase of planting, and appreciate when we get positive feedback like this tree.
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Almonds are amazing! We also only have our one tree but it is such a blessing. Happy I'm not the only one that sees dates and almonds together @mountainjewel. Yum!!
haha yes! i also love to eat them together :) glad to hear you have one as well- turns out more people than i thought have them- that's good news!
We actually planted three. But we had a flood five years ago (followed by the current drought) and they drowned before the first fruit
If only I had the land to grow it in :)
:) I hear ya. I was that way for many years.. the longing I remember well 💚
i start to grow a Walnut in my garden ;) smile i cant wait till the day i can harvest my first nuts there...
Also i have two hazel bushes ;) so maybe i will give this almond a go :D but i think here in germany the winter is too long for it, but when i dont try it i can handle it :d
Yes how satisfying to grow your own nuts! I’m excited for you! I wonder what zone you live in? (Or if there is a different European equivalent?)
southern part of germany... so cold winter but nice Summers... so a good mixed zone...
I just did a little research- it looks like you may be a similar zone to us (zone 6-7). Maybe you can grow it!
so i will give it a go ;) smile :)
:) 👍🏼
I started growing mine here in Missouri. I started with two Almond trees one servived it started producing a couple of years ago. I have grown six trees from the few Almonds I got.
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Awesome! Do you remember where you got them or what variety they are? How do they taste? Great to hear it! Well done!
Yes I got them from Burgess Seed and Plant Co.
In 2007. The trees were 2feet tall at that time. I have not tasted them yet. I have to learn more about preping to eat. I also got pecan trees and lost half of them. They should produce in next couple of years.
Almonds need to be prossessed some how I think. Let me know if you know. With only
25 to 50 nuts I have just been growing new trees each year.
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Very cool! I know Burgess gets horrible reviews online and they did send us some shoddy looking berries when we ordered from them, but they do have a wide selection. Glad to hear yours did well 💚
Almonds. Love 'em. They grow a LOT of almonds in California. Sometimes they get a bad rap here because they take a lot of water but that probably isn't as big of an issue on @mountainjewel
Tis not a big issue indeed! Yes California is a place I think of when I think of Almonds- most people probably don’t think of the Midwest as a place to be able to grow them tho!
There is a constant fight here over water for the cities, basically people versus water for the land, the farms, the rivers. Sometimes I find myself rooting for the land... or more appropriately I guess rooting for the battle to go away and people to live more in harmony with the land.
Your last sentence exactly. I lived with my aunt a bit just outside of San Diego where they grow a lot of avocados and learned well of this debate!
Im going to look into an almond to plant next season....keep meaning to but keep forgetting!!! Such a good protein energy source. X
yaya!! SUCH a good source! how did i not know we can grow them where i live and it seems also in so many parts of the world?! XO
That is so exciting! To think you will have a tree which will allow you to make your own almond milk, flour! Wow, I can't wait. How many years will it take to bear fruit? It is growing so fast, 15' won't be long, perhaps 3 years? Nice :)
right so amazing to have the mylks on site! but of course i'm sure for many years we will just want to eat it all!! not sure how many years-- people above are saying they got some almonds in the first few years. yay!! XO you'll have to visit when they are ripe!!
I wouldn't have bet that an almond tree would be the best grower, but it's doing great! That's cool you'll be able to graft some of the branches into the plum tree as well. Should make for a great dessert straight off one tree. ;)
Haha indeed! We are surprised it is doing so well too. Our apples are not looking so good so we’re paying attention to what does well and not forcing the “popular” fruits.
it's looks sooooo good!!!!!! the ALL IN ONE! great choice ya'll! she looks so snuggled in and happy! our all in one...took off way ahead of the other almond trees we have...and has stayed the top producer..all these years. i love your videos.. that special plot of land..and YOU TWO! :)
yeah! great to hear!! this sounds like an amazing variety!! how long until you started to get nuts?? <3
oh it was fast! like our second year. :)) i love all the prunus....growing in your little hobbiton! the background behind the almond tree..is just soooooo inviting! truly....bilbo...would have loved calling it home. :) sooooo beautiful...and felt!!!
Hahah thanks for the laugh and smile. I hope Bilbo would have felt at home here 💚 thanks for all the inspiration and knowledge! Y’all are amazing!!! 2 years! 😍
Your tree looks great. We live near lake of the ozarks. Its nice to find someone close to home.
Good luck with the grafting I need to try that someday.
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