when is the best time to pick almonds,and how to tell the good ones from the bad without opening them?

Question

after they are picked and the outer shell is removed, how to tell the good from the bad in the shell.

Answer 1

To answer your question.... Almonds will naturally fall off from the tree when their husks are dried. You'll probably have to use a long bamboo pole to knock the nuts off the taller branches and large rubber mallet to help shake the branches so the nuts will fall to the ground. In California, harvest usually begins in August and finishes in September with the latter developing varieties.

One of the pests that you'll find in almond shells is the Obliquebanded Leafroller (OBLR). OBLR overwinters in a larval stage, protected in a silk hibernaculum. Upon emergence, OBLR will web leaves together and begin feeding. In the spring, OBLR will move on to nutlets. The caterpillar will hollow out nutlets, which then fall to the ground by the June drop.

Having grown up on an almond farm, it's almost impossible to detect the defective almonds while they're in their shell. You might see small openings in the shell from time to time with droppings from the OBLR, but it would require lots of time and a good pair of eyes.

IF you have OBLR, you'll probably have to treat for this pest during bloom (February). Should you have any questions about treatments or sprays that have shown to be most effective against this pest, you can visit the following site.

GOOD LUCK with your almonds!

Answer 2

It seems as though jazzmanz 'site' failed to show up.

Incidentally, yesterday's news included that of a nut farmer's recent loss of a quarter million dollar crop to theives, so put on adequate security and good luck.

Answer 3

right before fall begins and to tell the good ones look at the shell. it should b light tan and not cracked open on the edges

Answer 4

have a sqirrel crack one on his head...