I really like almond butter, but it has really got expensive for a regular size jar of it nowadays. Maybe $12 for a 12 ounce jar? So, I was just wondering, would my climate be conducive for trying to grow an almond tree? Last I heard, they do best in California, and their climate is obviously much different than east KY. I would think it’s too cold for them here. Anyone grow them with any success in these parts of the country?
Thanks Mr Dood. I second the request as I could not find anything on growing almonds here. I’d like to extend it to the east too because I am currently growing 3 varieties, flying blind at this point.
I’ve read, though I cannot recall where, that you can grow almonds where ever peaches can be grown.
Perhaps someone with more experience will set me straight
Scott
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From another garden blog:
Almonds are originally from the Middle East and will not grow in cold climates. You’ll need to be in at least zone 6 to get almonds to thrive. In the United States, there are commercial crops of almonds in California and not many other regions.
I can’t see them making it in your climate.
Further info:
The almond is a deciduous tree, growing 4–10 m (13–33 ft) in height, with a trunk of up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. The young twigs are green at first, becoming purplish where exposed to sunlight, then grey in their second year. The leaves are 3–5 inches long,[3] with a serrated margin and a 2.5 cm (1 in) petiole. The flowers are white to pale pink, 3–5 cm (1–2 in) diameter with five petals, produced singly or in pairs and appearing before the leaves in early spring.[4][5] Almond grows best in Mediterranean climates with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The optimal temperature for their growth is between 15 and 30 °C (59 and 86 °F) and the tree buds have a chilling requirement of 300 to 600 hours below 7.2 °C (45.0 °F) to break dormancy.[6]
Almonds begin bearing an economic crop in the third year after planting. Trees reach full bearing five to six years after planting. The fruit matures in the autumn, 7–8 months after flowering.[5][7]
Hall’s Hardy almond is an almond/peach cross that does well in the east. Edible Landscaping sells it. I don’t have any experience other than having eaten an almond from one…it was good. I believe I read from some others that it was a hassle to actually get to the almond. That may have been an old Gardenweb post. Someone on here may have firsthand experience.
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Well, I am in zone 6b and you’re in z7b, so your chances are prob better than ours. I might check into Halls Hardy that irby suggested.
What varieties do you have?
I recall that a standard jar (12oz) of almond butter was about $6 just a few years ago, and has just got ridiculous the last couple of years, like I said before over $10 a jar now. I’d rather have almond instead of peanut butter, I think it’s healthier.
Having grown these 3 years I don’t think cold (zone) is the issue as much as moisture. Don’t think there is a variety proven to survive a rain forest for part of the year. My observations are that they seem to suffer from the moisture-associated fungal/bacterial issues. I had one flower last year but its pollinator wasn’t up for it, LOL. I’m thinking cross grafting would be good insurance. Here are my notes on the ones I have:
Alenia (Prima) Semi dwarf - A hardy, late blooming thin shelled variety with sweet flavor. Needs another late blooming variety to pollinate, such as Dessertniy or All-in-One or Mission. A Ukrainian selection.
Dessertniy (Bounty) Semi dwarf - A true almond with a non bitter kernel and high yield. Late blooming to escape Spring frost, needs pollinator such as Alenia or All-in-One. Hardy Ukranian selection with a thin easily cracked shell.
All In One Semi dwarf - First self-fertile true almond variety. All-In-One is thin shelled & sweet, a late bloomer, making it less susceptible to spring frost. May need anti-fungal spray in wet climates due to susceptibility to disease. Does best in sunny locations on reasonably well drained soils.
THAT is why I have to do it. 
Someone has to figure this out.
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What about squirrels?
Traps!
England’s Orchard and Nursery has some options that should work for you. He’s located in your neck of the woods.
I have almond-peach cross Reliable (from Raintree nursery) growing the third year in the ground. I had the same idea that I wanted to grow almonds at home. It is a vigorous tree with leaves somewhat different looking than on a peach tree. It flowered this year and set maybe 3-5 fruits. They look like small dry green peaches. I check them from time to time and they do not seem to be ripe yet. Overall I have not much opinion about it yet. The tree did not show any damage during the three winters. I would expect it to be able to set more fruits, because the tree is quite large and healthy, but unlike peaches it does not set fruits in abundance. I grafted 3 varieties of peaches on it and they are growing fine and vigorous. They may help with pollination next year. If I manage to get the almonds ripe, I’ll report back how they taste.
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If I were minded to feed the squirrels where I live, I think I’d try hazeluts
Almonds are in high demand in China, which drives the prices up. Due to high almond prices, there is a huge increase in almond tree planting in California. All fields around my community have been converted to almond orchards in the last two-three years. This past spring, Candycot orchards in Modesto have been cut down and replaced by almond trees — a huge loss to apricot lovers. I personally would not want to attract rodents to my property by planting any nut trees, I already have hard time fighting against the existing ground squirrel population.
Interesting. I’m wondering if it has anything to do with all the almond milk that is appearing on grocery shelves. People I know who can’t do dairy (lactose intolerant) find almond milk a useful substitute. Years ago it was hard to find. Now they have it in many flavors.
East Texas has nurseries that sell almond trees. They say they ripen late Sept to mid October. They do not like wet soils or humidity and bloom very early. It is interesting that no one outside of the arid regions of the county have had success with growing them. If anyone can I guess it would be the people on this site.
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From what I’ve read, planting almonds in California is a poor idea long term. From what I recall almonds are a very water intensive crop and California, barring large scale desalination, may find itself further rationing their water resources.
I planted a sweet pit apricot a couple years back after trying out alpricots from Trader Joe’s. They don’t carry them anymore, but hopefully one day my tree will produce what I need.
Grimo nursery in Ontario used to offer alpricots trees, but cannot any longer, however there are “sweet pit apricot trees” available here in the US. They might be a good alternative
Grimo nursery info : http://www.grimonut.com/index.php?p=FAQ
Scott
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Thanks everyone for the comments. We obviously don’t have the ideal environment here to grow them, it’s humid, cold winters, shorter summers, etc. But, I will check into the links y’all have provided, and the trees you’ve already planted.
let me add one more thing to this thread.
Oikos Tree Crops has a tree they call a Sweet Almond. Says its hardy to -15 F
https://oikostreecrops.com/products/nuts/sweet-almond/
Scott
I found a Hall’s Hardy almond at Stark Bros. It’s $30 for a 3-4’, 3/8 inch tree. Apparently it’s supposed to grow in zones 5-8, so this might work for us. But, our high humidity might be a problem with it. At any rate, here is a link
Not to be the negative voice in the room. But I have to mention. Living 20 miles west of some of the largest Almond orchards in the country, and formerly living in the East, I can tell you; I can’t imagine getting a good quality Almond, or Almond butter you are visualizing, like the kind from whole foods. Remember, these thrive in Mediterranean climates. For example, as I posted here in another thread. It literally does not rain (not a single drop) here from mid march roughly, through late November. January temps are mid 50’s - mid 60’s. And freezes are rare. I think there’s a reason all of the commercial Almond producers are located in very arid locations. The dampness and cold is just not compatible to true Almond trees. But, again I do hope they make it, and give you a tasty surprise, and I’am wrong! 
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