The almond tree is a very characteristic and important crop. The almond is a very appreciated product in gastronomy, very caloric and rich in properties. In addition, by-products are of great importance as a source of heat for boilers, fireplaces and so on.

Today, at Gardenprue, we analyze the characteristics of your subscriber.

KEYS TO THE SUBSCRIBER OF THE ALMOND TREE

Impossible to doubt the importance of the almond tree in the world, where the Spanish Mediterranean basin has a lot to say. The almond tree, in itself, is a rustic crop, with great resistance and few needs. However, like all plants, it must be provided with minimal water and fertilizer conditions.

First of all, if you are interested in its cultivation, we will try to provide you with as much information as possible, through old entries that we have been publishing in Gardenprue.

Here they go.

• Almond tree cultivation in organic farming
• Pruning the almond tree
• Pests and diseases of the almond tree
• Olive and almond varieties

With this, we already have a base to continue with the fertilization and fertilization of the almond tree.

From time to time we have commented on what macroelements and microelements are. In short, there are 16 elements, each with its importance, that act on plants, allowing them to carry out enzymatic and metabolic functions essential for their development.

Don’t forget, they are these:

• Macroelements: nitrogen, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur.
• Microelements: zinc, manganese, copper, iron, boron, chlorine and molybdenum.

When we add compost, for example, and depending on the nature of the mixture, it contains amounts of these elements, so by adding organic matter, we are unconsciously meeting those needs. Sometimes it is not enough, so deficiencies appear. These deficiencies  cause physical changes on the plants. Sometimes they do not develop, sometimes they show chlorosis, spots or mottling, etc.

And yes, we go crazy. We do not know if the plant is being attacked by pests, has any disease, overwatering, is damaged by cold, excess heat, etc. Completely normal case.

THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO, ANALYZE OUR SOIL

Soil analysis is the starting point for any crop. We need to know its structure, its drainage capacity, its organic matter content (mineral content), etc.

This, either, we resort to a laboratory, or we have instruments (which are usually expensive) to do it, or we use some guidelines to make us certain ideas.

Some like these:

• Know the pH of the soil in a home way
• Know the structure of the soil at home

+ Analyze the growth of other plants that are cultivated in said soil. Do they present deficiencies, growth problems, etc.?

Once this procedure has been carried out, either professionally or at home, we already know the possible deficiencies that we are going to face, correcting them in any case before deciding to plant our almond tree.

AND ONCE PLANTED? HOW DO WE PAY IT?

 BACKGROUND FERTILIZER

We are going to give importance to the application of organic matter. If we want to reconstitute the fertility levels of our soil, starting with a bottom fertilizer (a few months before planting the almond trees).

The amount that we add depends on the previous level of OM in our soil, as we said in the article on fertilizing the plants . Performing this calculation is not easy. Well yes, it is simple, but the problem is to obtain the data (density of the earth, percentage of organic matter in the soil, etc.)

To get an idea of ​​how much to contribute and based on the numbers of the maintenance subscriber, from the following data we know how much nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium has 1 ton of manure.

Of course, they are approximate values ​​and will depend on the quality of the mix.

• N: 3 (kg/t)
• P₂O_{5: 3 (kg/t)}
• K₂O: 7 (kg/t)

Depending on your organic matter (be it horse, cow, rabbit, pigeon manure, etc.) it will have different characteristics and values ​​(which you can check online).

Regarding compost or vermicompost, the values ​​also differ quite a bit

MAINTENANCE FERTILIZER FOR THE ALMOND TREE

This is the amount that we have to contribute to our young almond trees (kg / ha).

THE FERTIGATION OF THE ALMOND TREE

This calendar would be applied for climatic zones where the almond tree usually grows, that is, in warm zones .

The colder our climate, for example, temperate, the more we will have to delay this calendar .