How To Harvest Almonds By Hand

You can harvest almonds by hand once the hulls split open and the nuts inside are dry and ready to come off the tree.
 
It’s a simple, satisfying process, and you don’t need fancy machinery to get it done.
 
Whether you have a single backyard tree or a small orchard, harvesting almonds by hand is totally doable with a few basic tools and a little patience.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to harvest almonds by hand step by step, from knowing the right time to pick to storing your haul properly.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

When to Harvest Almonds by Hand

Timing is everything when you harvest almonds by hand.
 
Pick too early and the nuts won’t be fully developed, but wait too long and you risk losing them to birds, squirrels, or mold.
 
Here’s how to tell the moment is right.
 

1. Watch for Splitting Hulls

The clearest sign that it’s time to harvest almonds by hand is when the outer hulls start to split open.
 
This usually happens in late summer to early fall, depending on your climate and variety.
 
Once you see those green hulls cracking and peeling back to reveal the shell inside, the almonds are ready for hand harvesting.
 

2. Check for a Dry, Brown Hull

As the season progresses, the hulls dry out and turn from green to a yellowish-brown color.
 
When you harvest almonds by hand, you want the hulls to be leathery and starting to separate from the shell.
 
If they’re still tight and green, give them another week or two.
 

3. Test a Few Nuts First

Before you commit to a full harvest, crack open a sample almond or two.
 
The shell should be hard and the nut inside should be plump with a papery brown skin.
 
If the kernel looks shriveled or feels soft, the almonds need more time on the tree before you harvest them by hand.
 

How to Harvest Almonds by Hand Step by Step

Now that you know when to harvest, let’s talk about how to actually do it.
 
Harvesting almonds by hand is straightforward, and these steps will keep the process smooth.
 

1. Spread a Tarp Under the Tree

Before you start harvesting almonds by hand, lay a clean tarp or bedsheet on the ground beneath the canopy.
 
This catches the nuts as they fall and keeps them off the dirt, which makes cleanup much easier.
 

2. Shake the Branches Gently

Grab a sturdy branch and give it a firm but gentle shake.
 
Ripe almonds will drop onto your tarp, while the ones that hold on aren’t quite ready yet.
 
You can also use a long pole to reach higher branches when you harvest almonds by hand on a taller tree.
 

3. Pick Remaining Nuts by Hand

Some almonds won’t fall no matter how much you shake, so go through and twist them off the branches manually.
 
This is the hands-on part of harvesting almonds by hand, and it’s a good chance to inspect the tree for any damage or pests.
 

4. Collect and Hull the Nuts

Gather everything on your tarp and remove the outer hulls.
 
When you harvest almonds by hand, you can peel the split hulls off with your fingers or use a small knife to help.
 
Discard any nuts with holes, cracks, or signs of mold.
 

Drying and Storing Almonds After Hand Harvesting

Once you harvest almonds by hand, they need to dry before storage or they’ll spoil.
 
Here’s how to finish the job right.
 

1. Sun-Dry the Almonds

Spread your harvested almonds in a single layer on a screen or tray in a warm, dry spot with good airflow.
 
Leave them for a few days, turning them occasionally, until the shells are completely dry and the nuts rattle inside.
 

2. Shell and Store Properly

Crack the shells open and store the kernels in an airtight container.
 
After you harvest almonds by hand, keep them in a cool, dark place or freeze them for long-term storage.
 
Properly dried almonds can last for months when stored this way.
 

So, How Do You Harvest Almonds by Hand?

You harvest almonds by hand by waiting for the hulls to split, spreading a tarp under the tree, shaking and picking the nuts, then hulling and drying them.
 
It’s a hands-on process that rewards you with fresh, homegrown almonds you can enjoy all year.
 
Hope this post has helped you understand exactly how to harvest almonds by hand and the best ways to get it done successfully.