How to grow Almond in New Zealand
Almond is a deciduous nut tree closely related to the peach, with pink or white blossom in late winter and nuts ready from late summer. It wants hot, dry summers and cool winters, so in New Zealand it does best in the drier east, such as Hawke's Bay, Marlborough and Canterbury. Wet springs and frost on the blossom are what usually stop a crop.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Almonds in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | Not suited | Humid, wet Northland springs bring shot hole and brown rot to the blossom. Almonds suit the dry east. |
| Auckland | June to August | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | June to August | |
| Central North Island | Not suited | Wet plateau springs and late frosts ruin the blossom. Almonds need the dry east. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | June to August | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | June to August | |
| Canterbury | June to August | |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | Springs are too cold and wet for almonds to set nuts. They need the dry east. |
| Central Otago | June to August |
Where to plant
Choose the sunniest, best-drained spot you have. Almonds handle cold winters, but they flower very early, and a frost after the blossom opens can wipe out the crop. Wet, humid springs bring shot hole and brown rot to the flowers and young nuts, which is why the trees suit dry inland and eastern districts better than humid coastal gardens. The NZ Tree Crops Association notes that New Zealand is relatively marginal for almonds and names parts of Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago, where humidity is not a problem, as the suitable areas.
- Nelson and Marlborough, Canterbury and Central Otago: the best regions, along with dry eastern districts such as Hawke's Bay. Plant from June to August and pick a spot where cold air drains away, so late frosts are less likely to settle on the blossom.
- Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, and Wellington and the lower North Island: possible in a warm, sheltered, well-drained spot, but humid springs make disease more likely. A low-chill, self-fertile variety such as All-In-One or Garden Prince is the safer choice.
- Northland: our calendar marks it as unsuitable, as humid, wet springs bring shot hole and brown rot to the blossom.
- Central North Island: unsuitable, as wet plateau springs and late frosts ruin the blossom.
- Otago and Southland (outside Central Otago): unsuitable, as springs are too cold and wet for the trees to set nuts.
Choosing a variety
Almonds are grouped by shell: hard shell, soft shell and paper shell, which can be rubbed off by hand. Sweet almonds are the ones to grow for eating. Most varieties need a second, compatible variety flowering at the same time, so check the label, or choose a self-fertile one if you only have room for a single tree. Varieties sold by New Zealand nurseries include these.
- All-In-One: self-fertile, heavy crops of soft-shell nuts, semi-dwarf to about 4.5 m. It needs less winter chill than most, so it can be grown further north, but it needs a hot summer to ripen.
- Garden Prince: a self-fertile dwarf to about 1 to 1.5 m with soft-shell nuts and pink blossom. It is low chill and suits pots and small gardens.
- Monovale: a vigorous hard-shell almond with strongly flavoured nuts, a heavy cropper, disease hardy, and a good pollinator for other varieties.
How to plant
- Dig organic matter or an organic plant food through the soil. On clay, fork in gypsum as well.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and to the same depth.
- Tease out the roots and cut away any that circle the pot, then plant at the same depth and backfill.
- Form a low ring of soil around the root zone to hold water, and water in well.
- Mulch with bark, wood chips or pea straw, keeping it clear of the trunk, and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the tree settles.
Watering and feeding
Almonds tolerate dry spells once established, but they crop better when watered deeply and regularly from spring through to harvest. A thick layer of organic mulch over the root zone, about 10 cm deep, helps hold moisture.
Feed in spring and again in autumn with a fertiliser for citrus and fruit trees, following the rate on the pack.
Pruning and care through the year
- If a frost is forecast once the trees are in flower, cover small trees with frost cloth overnight.
- Where springs are humid, a copper spray after leaf fall in autumn and again at green tip in spring is the usual way to reduce leaf curl and brown rot on stone fruit trees. Follow the label.
Harvesting
Almonds are ready when the green outer hull dries and splits open, usually from February to April. Spread a tarp or sheet under the tree and knock the branches to bring the nuts down, then repeat a couple of weeks later for the rest.
Remove the hulls and dry the nuts in their shells in an airy spot until the kernels are crisp. Kept dry and cool in their shells, they store for months.
Growing in pots
A dwarf, self-fertile almond such as Garden Prince or All-In-One can be grown in a pot at least 60 cm wide, filled with a quality potting mix. Keep it in full sun, water deeply and regularly through the growing season so the mix stays moist but not wet, and feed through spring and summer.
Pests and diseases
Birds are the main pest of almonds in New Zealand. Disease is the bigger risk in wet, humid springs.
Pests to watch for
- Birds Nuts missing or pecked from the tree. Net the tree as the nuts fill out.
- Aphids Clusters of small insects on new shoots, with curled leaves and sticky honeydew.
Diseases to watch for
- Brown rot Blossom that browns and rots, and young nuts that shrivel, worst in wet springs.
- Shot hole Small round spots on the leaves that drop out, leaving holes, worst in wet weather.
- Peach leaf curl New leaves thickened, puckered and red in spring. Copper after leaf fall and at green tip helps prevent it.
- Rust
Common questions
Can I grow almonds in New Zealand?
Yes, best in the drier east, such as Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Canterbury and Central Otago, where summers are hot and dry and springs are not too wet. Humid regions such as Northland and wet, cold areas such as Southland rarely get a reliable crop.
Do I need two almond trees?
Most varieties need a second, compatible variety flowering at the same time. If you only have room for one, choose a self-fertile variety such as All-In-One or Garden Prince.
How long until an almond tree produces nuts?
Trees usually start producing from about the third year after planting.
When are almonds ready to pick?
When the green outer hull dries and splits open, usually between February and April. Knock the nuts onto a sheet under the tree, then dry them in the shell.
Why did my almond tree flower but not set nuts?
Usually a frost after the blossom opened, a wet spring that brought brown rot to the flowers, or no compatible pollinator flowering at the same time. Cover small trees on frosty nights and plant a self-fertile variety or two that cross-pollinate.
Can I grow an almond in a pot?
Yes, a dwarf, self-fertile variety such as Garden Prince. Use a pot at least 60 cm wide with quality potting mix, keep it in full sun and water it well through the growing season.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow almonds; Yates NZ: Common problems of almonds; Waimea Nurseries: Almonds; Waimea Nurseries: Spray prevention guide for stonefruit trees; NZ Tree Crops Association: Almond.