The Olive Grove in August

After a break from work in the Olive Grove last month it’s time to start working towards ensuring a good crop for next season.

With all the rain Marlborough has had recently it will be a bit wet underfoot but make the most of the sunny days and get out checking your trees for stability in the ground.  Olives are quite shallow rooted and with wet ground and strong winds can easily tip over. Make sure stakes and ties are secure on young trees.

Check drainage around your trees, they don’t like wet feet.
Prepare for new or replacement plantings next month when the ground has dried out a little more.
This month is a good time to move trees to new homes, if you must.  Olive trees don’t really like to be moved and it will depend on size and position as to how they recover.  Larger trees will need a good 1/3 trimmed off the top and sides to help in re-establishment.

With soft ground and probably more rain to come it’s time to apply your fertiliser.  Soil testing will give you specific information about what is needed but a general all purpose NPK fertiliser will give a good start to the pending growing season.

Time to start pruning your trees.  Get out there on sunny dry days and enjoy the process knowing that taking out old, spent/broken branches, tangled and crossed branches to open up the middle of each tree will ensure you crop well next season.  Remember the fruit grows on the previous year’s growth so encouraging new growth by pruning is essential for a good crop each year.  New growth on the outside of the tree is where the fruit will get the sun to aid ripening.  Pruning for an open canopy means the wind will blow through the tree and helps minimise the risk of disease.  Seal large cuts with pruning paste.

Think about how you intend to harvest and prune to shape and height for that.  For example if you harvest by hand with rakes the trees will need to be kept at ‘reach’ height.  If you whack with sticks that allows a bit more height but you still have to be able to reach the top of the tree where all the fruit is.  Harvesting with electric clappers means you can easily reach the top of the tree but keep the canopy open so the machinery doesn’t get jammed in the foliage.  If harvesting into an umbrella net the trees should be narrow and can be taller.
​
Some judicious pruning now can save a lot of angst at harvest time.
​