Almond
Prunus dulcis
Blooms very early; best where late frost is rare.
Hardiness: zones 7 to 9
Light: full sun
Size: about 20 ft tall, 20 ft wide
Harvest: August to September
From: Central Asia
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food, pollinators.
Native to: Central Asian steppe. Hardy in zones 7 to 9.
The story
Almonds were domesticated in the Levant and Central Asia and were in Tutankhamun's tomb; the tree blossoming in late winter was a symbol of hope across the Mediterranean. Spanish missionaries planted them in California, which now grows most of the world's crop.
Planting
Full sun, drained soil, and a climate with dry springs; the early bloom is the risk. Most need a second variety; 'All-in-One' and 'Independence' are self-fertile.
Growing
Water deeply through summer while the kernels fill; prune in winter like a peach. Keep bees close at bloom.
Harvest and use
Hulls split and dry on the tree in late summer; knock the nuts down, hull, and dry in the sun a few days before storing.
What to watch for
Spring frost at bloom, navel orangeworm, brown rot blossom blight in wet springs.
See if Almond fits your yard
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General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home