Almond and Carob harvesting questions

Are you looking for information or help in the garden. Post your agriculture, flora and fauna questions, suggestions and comments here.
Ricasso
Andalucia.com Amigo
Posts: 90
Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2017 9:09 am
Location: Cómpeta

Almond and Carob harvesting questions

Postby Ricasso » Sun Sep 06, 2020 1:01 pm

I have 3 almond trees and last year, I harvested a 3/4 bucket full of nuts. This is my secind year owning the trees and one tree doesn't appear to have any nuts this season, the second had a few and the husks were split and some were falling so I presume ripe. The third is heavily laden with nuts but the husks are still green.

My questions are:

Almonds
Is this normal that a tree has 'a year off' and not produce any nuts?

The tree that's full of nuts seems to be ripening slower. Can I harvest now or should I wait until the husks split.

The reason I ask is, that I won't be here , probably until spring. I'm not sure if I can pick them now. Will they mature off the tree? I'd hate to waste them, or will they still be ok next spring?

Carobs
Similar question. I've never harvested carobs before. The tree has quite a good crop. They're all dark brown but none are falling.
Can I pick them or should they fall naturally.
Same as with Almonds, would they still be good in the Spring?

Many thanks in advance.
Ricasso,
Axarquía

User avatar
gerryh
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 8046
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 6:17 pm
Location: Cajiz, Malaga

Re: Almond and Carob harvesting questions

Postby gerryh » Sun Sep 06, 2020 4:50 pm

Carobs have been/ are being harvested around here.
When they are brown and start falling off or blown off in the wind, they are hit off with long bamboo canes.
There is somebody outside doing it at the moment.
Cheers
Gerry
Gerry Harris

Ricasso
Andalucia.com Amigo
Posts: 90
Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2017 9:09 am
Location: Cómpeta

Re: Almond and Carob harvesting questions

Postby Ricasso » Mon Sep 07, 2020 8:29 am

Many thanks Gerry. I'll harvest them now. Maybe leave the almonds. :-)
Ricasso,
Axarquía

User avatar
Enrique
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 9488
Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:47 am
Location: Mytchett/Alcala La Real

Re: Almond and Carob harvesting questions

Postby Enrique » Mon Sep 07, 2020 6:51 pm

Hi Ricasso,

# Almonds

You will need to get the almonds off the tree before you leave. Any with the furry outer unbroken make damp over night and remove outer casing next day.
Leave out in sun to dry , can then leave in inner shells until you return.

To remove nut use a hammer on a block (Spanish way + Mrs E prefers this way) or get a Almond press.

Image

Wear safety glasses for above operations.

Our trees (2) are ahead of yours by a few years and this year filled a very large Spanish tub trug.
All my best learning experiences start with a problem I need to solve.

Ricasso
Andalucia.com Amigo
Posts: 90
Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2017 9:09 am
Location: Cómpeta

Re: Almond and Carob harvesting questions

Postby Ricasso » Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:46 am

Perfect! Thanks so much Enrique and Gerry for your help..
Ricasso,
Axarquía

User avatar
peteroldracer
Andalucia Guru
Posts: 7774
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 5:56 pm
Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia

Re: Almond and Carob harvesting questions

Postby peteroldracer » Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:17 pm

We had some pretty big carob trees when we lived in Comares, and our neighbour asked if he could harvest them to sell. He and his elderly father managed 5 or 6 sacks of fruit in a day, but realised that the €7 a sack they got for them was a pretty poor return, and never asked us again.
I used to cough to disguise a [email protected] I f@rt to disguise a cough.

Rummii
Andalucia.com Amigo
Posts: 69
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2017 7:29 pm
Location: Spain

Re: Almond and Carob harvesting questions

Postby Rummii » Mon Sep 21, 2020 5:45 pm

Hi only just seen your post....we have about 10p carob and 10p almond trees ....this year our almonds were not great many trees had no nuts think they got insect or disease so need to give them some attention this year ....do think it depends how weather starts out at beginning of the year....on the other hand been fab year for carobs you can sell them and this year they been 60 cents a kilo which is best price yet ...when they brown we shake our trees and pull some off too but be careful as the flowers for next year are sometimes already on the tree so if you are too cough you can spoil next years harvest they will keep for ages we make carob powder and there great for dog treats if you don’t sell them .....almonds when de husked will keep upto a year if stored welll...

Rummii
Andalucia.com Amigo
Posts: 69
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2017 7:29 pm
Location: Spain

Re: Almond and Carob harvesting questions

Postby Rummii » Mon Sep 21, 2020 6:33 pm

Sorry 100 of each lol


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 20 guests