Soil Health Foundations for Almond Growers 

Almond growers play a vital role not only in producing high-quality nuts but also in contributing to the sustainability of our planet. Through sustainable farming practices, almond orchards can boost their yields and profits, and provide climate-friendly benefits like water retention and biodiversity.  

Almond growers know that focusing on soil health is the cornerstone of these efforts, and that it supports both their yields and the environment. 

Here, we explore how almond growers are leveraging soil health practices to contribute to a greener future. 

How do Almond Farmers Maximize Water Efficiency?

Water management is a critical challenge faced by almond growers. Almond trees need significant amounts of water to produce high-quality nuts and healthy soil can help optimize water use to make every drop count. Compacted soil limits the ability of water to penetrate, causing runoff and wasted resources.  

“When you get that layer of compaction, the water will just pool on top, run off, and it won’t actually move through the soil column down into the tree,” says Greg Selby, MyLand Senior Strategist, Grower Support & Education. 

By enhancing soil health through building organic matter and even cover cropping, growers can ensure that water moves freely through the soil, reaching the trees’ roots when it’s needed most. Healthy soil also acts like a sponge, holding onto water during dry periods and reducing the need for additional irrigation. 

How does Soil Aggregation Support Almond Orchards?

Aggregation is another powerful benefit of healthy soil. This refers to how soil particles clump together, creating a structure that allows water to move efficiently and provides a habitat for essential microbes. These microbes break down organic matter and release nutrients that support plant growth.  

As Greg explains, “At the end of the day, the soil aggregation is what buys you the water storing capacity.” 

Almond growers who focus on building soil aggregation are investing in long-term sustainability. By promoting beneficial microbes through cover cropping or products like MyLand’s algae-based service, they enhance soil structure and fertility. This allows for better nutrient uptake and water retention, creating healthier orchards that are more resilient in the face of climate change. 

Can Cover Cropping Fight Pests on Almond Orchards?

Pest management is one of the biggest concerns for almond orchards. Poor soil health can invite unwanted pests like beetles, worms, and moths, which find homes in fallen almond ‘mummies’ (leftover or unharvested nuts).  

These pests lay eggs, and their larvae can damage the next crop. However, by improving soil health, almond growers can naturally keep these pests in check. 

But what can growers do to fight those pesky pests?  

Greg says he can’t say enough about cover cropping — “when you start talking to almond producers that are concerned about soil health, really what you start talking about is maintaining a cover crop in between the rows of the trees to help healthy soil build up in between those rows,” he says.  

What is cover cropping?  

Cover cropping is a practice that supports the balance of the ecosystem by encouraging beneficial insects. These insects help break down organic material, reducing the likelihood of incoming pests. By creating an environment where biodiversity can thrive, almond growers not only manage pests effectively but also improve the overall health of their orchards. 

Cover crops can also fight soil compaction—a concept often caused by frequent use of heavy equipment which limits water absorption and nutrient availability. 

Almond Growers: Stewards of Sustainability 

Healthy soil doesn’t just lead to better crops—it also contributes to a healthier world. According to the Almond Board of California, almond trees in California alone store an impressive 30 million metric tons of carbon each year, equivalent to removing 24 million cars from the road or shutting down 29 coal-fired power plants. By maintaining healthy soils, almond growers play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and climate mitigation. 

“A happy tree will normally release more nuts, so you’ll get a bigger crop,” Selby says. 

Healthy almond trees are a win-win: they produce high-quality almonds, which lead to better profits for growers, while simultaneously benefiting the environment.