How to Water an Almond Tree

Almond trees feature oblong, glossy green leaves and showy white or pink flowers in the spring. In the summer these flowers grow into almond-shaped fruits that each contain several almond nuts. These trees love warm, semi-arid climates as in the Middle East, southern Asia and the southern United States. While almond trees thrive in these drier climates, they still need proper watering to grow and fruit properly. Too much or too little could cause the tree to stop flowering and die back underground.

• 1

  Push your fingers into the soil around your almond tree. The soil should feel moist and slightly damp. If not, water until the soil sticks together when pinched but still crumbles apart easily. The soil should not be squishy or muddy.

• 2

  Water your almond trees in early spring just as the branches begin to bud. Almond trees need water during this time to produce their buds properly. Poor flowers equal a poor almond crop.

• 3

  Water the almond trees about every two weeks from the time they bud until the fruit begins to grow. During fruit growth, taper watering off to about once a month. After harvesting the almonds, water again every two weeks until mid-October. This helps the tree develop winter roots.

• 4

  Water once a week during drought. Though almond trees hate wet feet, they cannot tolerate dry soil. The soil must be kept evenly moist in a 2- to 4-foot band around the tree. Start watering just below the tips of the branches and move inward toward the trunk.