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or more and are biennial. Currently, Don is building a processing facility for drying, storage and roasting of the nuts.


Being granted farm status through B.C. Assessment was a particular challenge for the Maces.


“Our first application was denied because they said there was no evidence that pistachio trees would grow here,” Don said.


He and Barbara appealed the decision and appeared before an impartial assessment review panel in Osoyoos.


After hearing the assessment representative present the reasons for denial, a member of the panel said, “I guess they laughed at the first guy who wanted to grow grapes.” The Maces were granted Developing Farm Status. Norm and Diane Parkin, also Cawston residents, have had a 50- tree almond orchard on their small acreage for a decade.


“It's really a hobby gone wild,” Diane said, explaining that she and Norm planted the almonds to add variety to their extensive garden. A drupe like pistachios, almonds are classified within the genus Prunus and are closely related to peaches.


Norm and Diane Parkin started growing 50 almond trees a decade


ago.Here, they show nuts from last year’s harvest.


SUSAN MCIVER


“I'd heard that almonds had been grown in the area, but couldn't find trees or seedlings at any nursery,” said Norm.


Eventually he came across a local man selling nuts from his tree. Almonds thrive in climates with warm, dry summers and mild winters such as California's San Joaquin Valley, where American production is concentrated.


The U.S. leads the world in almond production.


In fall 2004, the Parkins planted 25 nuts and a year later another 25. The first planting was done directly into the soil and the second into pots and then transplanted. “Doing it again, we'd do all direct planting. Almonds don't like having their roots disturbed,” Diane said. The trees begin bearing substantial crops in their third year, reaching full-bearing capacity by their fifth or sixth years.


“Every tree is different. They don't breed true,” Norm said.


Almonds are bee pollinated and bloom in mid-April.


“The blossoms are white to pale pink with a dark pink centre,” Norm said.


During harvest in October, the Parkins place a tarp beneath the trees, shake the branches and collect the nuts.


The husks are removed and the nuts, still in their shells, left to dry. Yield per tree can be as high as 20 pounds.


The Parkins share the harvest with friends and family and are often told how much better their almonds taste than those bought in stores. Diseases and pests have not been a problem except for a squirrel who routinely strips the nuts from one tree.


Almond trees in bloom near Cawston in the Similkameen region. British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Fall 2015


The Parkins think almonds have commercial promise in their area and, if younger, they would consider expanding their operation.


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