Prunus dulcis ‘Ferraduel’ (Almond)

Common Name: Ferraduel Almond

Scientific Name: Prunus dulcis 'Ferraduel'

Plant Family: Rosaceae

Lifecycle: Perennial

The Ferraduel almond is a late-blooming French cultivar prized for its large, hard-shelled nuts with sweet kernels. Perfectly adapted to Mediterranean Zone 8a climates, it avoids many spring frost issues and produces reliable yields when paired with compatible pollinators. Beyond its delicious nuts, the almond tree provides pollinator forage in early spring and a graceful presence in any food forest or orchard system.

For in-depth guides and curated tools, be sure to check out our Recommended Books & Resources below.

Plant Profile

Characteristic	Information
Climate Suitability	USDA Zones 7–9; Köppen Csa (Mediterranean, hot-summer)
Sun / Shade Needs	Full sun (≥6 hours/day)
Watering Needs	Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil Preferences	Well-drained sandy or loamy soils; pH 6.0–7.5
Spacing & Height	5–6 m spacing; 4–6 m tall (13–20 ft)
Propagation Method(s)	Grafting onto peach or almond rootstock
Planting Timeline	Late winter to early spring (while dormant)
Companion Plants	Lavender, rosemary, comfrey, clover
Edible / Medicinal / Ecological Uses	Edible nuts, pollinator support, shade, soil stabilization
Pest / Disease Considerations	Susceptible to peach leaf curl, aphids, brown rot; avoid waterlogged soils
Pruning / Harvest Notes	Prune in dormant season to open canopy; harvest August–September when hulls split

Quick Plant Reference

• Care Level: Moderate

• Optimal Sunlight: Full sun

• Water Needs: Low–moderate, deep watering in dry summers

• Mature Size: 4–6 m tall × 3–5 m spread (13–20 ft × 10–16 ft)

• Soil Type: Well-drained sandy/loamy soils

• Humidity: Low–Medium

• Toxicity: Seeds safe; bitter almonds (not Ferraduel) are toxic if eaten raw in quantity

• Beneficial Pollinators: Honeybees, mason bees

• Health Benefits: Rich in protein, vitamin E, healthy fats, and minerals

• Chilling Hours: ~300–500 hours below 7 °C (45 °F)

• Pollination Requirements: Not self-fertile; requires compatible pollinator (e.g., ‘Ferragnes’, ‘Tuono’)

Our Prunus dulcis ‘Ferraduel’ Application @ Tough Kraut

We planted our first Ferraduel almond on April 2, 2022, in the food forest, and later added two more in October 2022—one in the same forest and one in the citrus grove. By 2024, the citrus grove tree gifted us our first small handful of almonds—a hopeful sign for bigger harvests ahead. All three trees now stand 2.5–3 m tall, healthy and growing steadily. This coming dormant season, we’ll prune to shape them for airflow and fruiting strength.

Step-by-Step Growing Guide

Note: Almonds reward patience. Expect 3–5 years before meaningful harvests, and remember that compatible pollination is essential.

1. Choose the Right Site

Select a sunny, well-drained location away from frost pockets. Almonds dislike “wet feet,” so raised spots are ideal.

2. Prepare the Soil

Amend with compost and grit to improve drainage. Aim for pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Avoid heavy clay unless well-modified.

3. Plant the Tree

Plant during dormancy (late winter). Keep the graft union just above soil level. Mulch generously but keep mulch away from trunk.

4. Water Consistently

Water weekly in the first 2–3 summers. Once established, Ferraduel almonds are drought-tolerant, needing only occasional deep soaks.

5. Ensure Proper Pollination

Ferraduel is not self-fertile. Plant alongside a pollinator cultivar (e.g., Prunus dulcis ‘Ferragnes’) or rely on neighbors’ trees. Encourage bee activity with flowering groundcovers.

6. Prune Annually

Prune in dormant season, opening the canopy to sunlight and air. Remove crossing branches and water sprouts.

7. Manage Pests and Diseases

Monitor for aphids, peach leaf curl, and brown rot. Apply organic copper sprays in late winter and maintain airflow.

8. Harvest and Store

Harvest late August to September when hulls split naturally. Dry nuts in shells before cracking. Store in airtight containers.

9. Note

If your almond isn’t fruiting yet, don’t panic. It can take 4–5 years before steady yields arrive. Ensure pollination and avoid overwatering.

Kraut Crew Insight

Our Ferraduel almonds remind us that good things take time. Even with just a handful of nuts so far, the sight of those first hulls splitting was a victory. With pruning and patience, we’re hopeful for baskets in the years ahead.

Photos

April 3, 2022 - #1

February 16, 2023 - #3

May 09, 2024 - #3

April 22, 2024 - #1

September 22, 2024 - #2

March 25, 2025 - #3

Herman’s Tough Kraut Field Notes: Solving Ferraduel Almond Cultivation Challenges

Troubleshooting almond trees can feel like a mix of patience and detective work. Since Prunus dulcis Ferraduel is late-flowering, it usually sidesteps spring frosts in Zone 8, but FAQs often revolve around pollination, disease, and early yields. Here’s what we’ve learned (and asked ourselves):

Q: Why did only one of our three Ferraduel trees fruit in 2024?

A: Almonds need cross-pollination. Our citrus grove tree likely had better pollinator traffic or closer proximity to compatible trees in the landscape.

Q: Leaves curled and reddened in spring—what’s up?

A: Classic peach leaf curl. Spray with organic copper or lime sulfur just before bud swell, and prune for airflow.

Q: Nuts fell early before maturing. Should I worry?

A: Early nut drop is often stress-related—drought or poor pollination. Ensure steady watering in summer and healthy pollinator presence.

Q: How do I prune young almond trees?

A: Aim for an open vase shape. Prune lightly in the first years to build structure, then focus on thinning rather than heavy cuts.

Q: Do almonds need heavy feeding?

A: Not really. They prefer lean soils. Too much nitrogen causes leafy growth at the expense of nuts.

Recommended Books & Resources

Books

• The Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips

  A practical guide to organic orchard care, including pruning and disease management for almonds and stone fruits.

• The Backyard Orchardist by Stella Otto

  Straightforward tips for small-scale orchardists, with a focus on pollination and harvest.

• Almond Production Manual by Warren C. Micke

  The classic, field-tested reference for orchard layout, pruning, irrigation, nutrition, and harvest; written by 50+ UC experts. Great for Mediterranean climate growers.

• Almonds: Botany, Production and Uses edited by Rafel Socias i Company & Thomas M. Gradziel

  Deep dive into almond genetics, pollination compatibility (Ferragnes/Ferraduel pairing), physiology, and global production systems.

Resources

• Anwenk Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Nutcracker

  Reliable, all-metal cracker that handles hard almond shells without shredding kernels; good upgrade from lightweight kitchen gadgets. Amazon

• Tough Kraut Resources

  Our curated collection of tools, organic sprays, and grafting supplies to support resilient fruit and nut trees.

Entry last updated: 2025-09-10

This post is part of the Tough Kraut Plant Library, documenting what really grows on our off-grid homestead in Central Portugal.