How to Grow Almond (Nonpareil and Butte varieties)
Almond (Nonpareil and Butte varieties)
Prunus dulcis
treeAlmonds are deciduous fruit trees that produce nutrient-dense nuts enclosed in hulled shells. Nonpareil and Butte are two commercially important almond varieties commonly grown together as they have complementary flowering times for cross-pollination. These trees are prized for their early-season production and high-quality nut yields.
When should you plant Almond (Nonpareil and Butte varieties) in your zone?
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Example Almond (Nonpareil and Butte varieties) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Almond (Nonpareil and Butte varieties)
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Almond (Nonpareil and Butte varieties)
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 8-9, with Nonpareil and Butte particularly suited to California's Central Valley
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Get my Almond (Nonpareil and Butte varieties) timeline →Growth Stages
Young Tree (Years 1-3)
3 yearsTree establishes root system and framework branches. Minimal flowering; focus on vegetative growth. Reaching 8-12 feet tall.
Stake for wind support. Prune to develop strong central leader and scaffold branches. Remove competing shoots. Water deeply and regularly. Protect from sunscald with white tree guards in hot climates.
Pre-Production (Years 3-4)
1-2 yearsTree grows rapidly toward mature size. First flowers may appear but are typically removed to redirect energy to tree development.
Continue structural pruning. Thin branches if too dense. Monitor for pests and diseases. Remove early flowers to prevent premature fruiting stress.
Flowering (Late Winter to Early Spring)
2-3 weeksDelicate white to pale pink blossoms appear on 2-year-old wood before leaves emerge. Nonpareil flowers slightly earlier than Butte (important for cross-pollination timing).
Ensure Nonpareil and Butte trees are within 100 feet for effective cross-pollination. Protect flowers from late frosts if temperatures drop below 28°F. Monitor for frost cracks and spring freeze events.
Kernel Development & Hull Split (Spring to Early Summer)
6-8 weeksFruit develops in the hull. Around June-July, the hull splits and the shell hardens. Kernels fill and mature inside the shell.
Maintain consistent irrigation; fluctuations stress the tree and increase blank kernel percentage. Apply zinc foliar spray if deficiency symptoms appear (small leaves, shortened internodes). Scout for Navel Orangeworm damage in split hulls.
Harvest (Late August to October)
4-6 weeksHulls dry and split; nuts drop naturally to the ground. Butte typically matures 1-2 weeks after Nonpareil, allowing staggered harvest.
Once hulls split, allow nuts to dry on the ground for 7-10 days before collecting. Use mechanical tree shakers or hand-pick fallen nuts. Spread on clean tarps to air-dry to 5-6% moisture content before storage. Separate nuts from hulls using a hulling machine.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove mummified nuts and hulls from previous year. Use pheromone traps to monitor. Apply spinosad-based insecticides at hull split. Remove infested nuts. Maintain sanitation.
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Prune out infested twigs. Apply dormant oil spray in late winter before bud break. Use pheromone traps for monitoring. Apply insecticide at petal fall if damage is high.
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Keep trees vigorous with proper irrigation and pruning. Remove and chip infested branches. Avoid wounding the tree. Use sticky traps for early detection. No effective chemical control; stress management is key.
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Monitor leaf undersides in summer. Spray sulfur or neem oil if populations exceed thresholds. Encourage natural predators. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
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Remove mummified fruit. Use reflective mulches. Apply insecticide at fruit development if populations are high. Scout regularly during kernel development.
Uses
Fresh and Roasted Snacking
CulinaryNonpareil and Butte almonds are premium table nuts with excellent flavor and texture. They are commonly roasted, salted, or eaten raw as a nutritious snack or baking ingredient. [source]
Almond Butter and Milk
CulinaryThese varieties are ground into smooth almond butter or processed into almond milk, a dairy-free beverage rich in protein and healthy fats. [source]
Heart Health and Cholesterol Management
MedicinalAlmonds are rich in monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and polyphenols, compounds associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk and improved cholesterol profiles. [source]
Almond Oil and Skincare
HouseholdCold-pressed almond oil from these nuts is used in cosmetics, massage oils, and skincare products for its emollient and anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeAlmond trees provide abundant pollen and nectar during early spring, supporting honeybees and wild pollinators when few other plants are flowering. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Nonpareil and Butte have slightly different maturity timing—Nonpareil typically reaches harvest readiness in late August to early September, while Butte follows 1-2 weeks later. This staggered schedule is one reason they are planted together, allowing efficient mechanical harvesting over a longer period. Nuts are ready when hulls split naturally and nuts fall easily to the ground. Use mechanical tree shakers to harvest efficiently. Spread nuts in a single layer on tarps to dry for 7-10 days in the sun before hulling, reducing moisture to 5-6% for storage. Do not allow nuts to remain wet on the ground, as this promotes mold and aflatoxin contamination.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Nonpareil almonds are the #1 commercial variety in California, supplying about 80% of the world's almond harvest; they are prized for their sweet flavor and large kernel size.
- 🌱 Almonds require a period of winter chilling (200-400 hours below 45°F) to break dormancy and flower properly—this is why they thrive in California's Mediterranean climate with cool winters.
- 🌱 It takes approximately 1.1 gallons of water to produce a single almond, making water management critical in drought-prone regions; Nonpareil and Butte together were developed partly to optimize water efficiency and pollination rates.
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