Almonds: Sustainable fertilisation methods for soil health:

The goals for Almond fertilisation:
1. Promote orchard and soil diversity
2. Additional treatment for trees that grow and produce poorly
3. Enhance sufficient production surface for trees
4. Promote conditions for pollination and fertilisation
5. Reduce weaning of fruits in the season
6. Production of large and good quality nuts
7. Start planning for the next harvest 

Cover crops:

Plant cover crops even if it is in every second row to attract bees during pollination and to promote diversity as well as soil health in the orchard.

Soil applications of organic matter and fish hydrolysate:
Use pelletised composted chicken manure like Atlantic’s Bio Ganic™ .   It is easier to apply this product more frequently than manure or compost and fewer losses occur.  Depending on the irrigation system, fertiliser can be applied to the tree row or under the drippers.  Great results are also achieved when weaker trees are treated separately with fish hydrolysate. 

When using Atlantic’s Enriched pelletised products – 9:2:9 (20), 10:2:6 (18), and similar products, savings are made on the number of applications as well as the handling of large amounts of organic matter.  Regular application of organic nutrition is important for the stimulation of root growth and microbial activity.  Boron soil applications are done according to the soil, leaf and almond shell analysis and adjusted annually according to the new analysis results.

 Foliar sprays to promote fruit set:

Before flowering:          Boron, Zinc, Molybdenum and Kelp X5
After Bloom:                  Boron, Zinc, Manganese and Kelp X5
After Harvest:                Boron and Zinc

The use of Atlantic Bio Kelp X5 is of great importance during critical growth stages before and even after the occurrence of stress conditions.  Contact the Atlantic Fertilisers team or discuss these possibilities with your nutritionist.