HI Christine, Spring is a great time to plant fruit trees. now through April. Unless you are just looking to experiment, I will tell you we have not found hardy almonds to be all that hardy here. the trees live but the flowers get hit by late frosts and never produce nuts. Fruit trees need full sun and well drained soil. Here is a website you may find helpful.
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/fruit/ good luck and happy spring. Sandy