September in the Olive Grove

​ It certainly feels like Spring has sprung.  These warmer days and regular rain have stirred everything into life, especially the grass and weeds.  Keep this growth under control beneath your olive trees as it will compromise tree growth and interfere with pollination by restricting air movement if the grass/weeds get into the canopy.
 
Your trees will also be pushing out new growth so get on and finish your pruning to encourage your trees grow where you want them to and so you don’t have to cut off too much new foliage.  A bit of pruning each year is the best way of keeping your trees in good shape otherwise you may get to the stage where your pruning has to be really drastic to reclaim a good size and shape!!

If you are confident the frosts have passed then you can plant new trees.  Make sure you stake them well and tie securely in anticipation of the nor’westerly gales we usually get in Spring.  Most of the garden centres have olive trees for sale at present but shop around as prices vary widely.  Some very small specimens were selling for $7 but most are between $15 and $37.
 
Young non cropping trees would benefit from a handful of Nitrophoska spread around the drip line just to give them encouragement for growth.
 
Check any trees you have staked and re tie if necessary to accommodate growth from last season. Don’t strangle your trees with tight ties which could cause damage by rubbing in those strong winds, a little movement in wind is good as it encourages the trees roots to grow to stabilise the tree.
 
 
Olive Pomace Waste
 
What have you done with your pomace waste?  50% of growers who pressed with us this year took their waste away with them.  It had a big impact on what we had to dispose of from the press even though it was a bit messier to deal with.  Has it been useful for you?
 
We are interested to hear back from growers about what you have done with your waste.  We know some growers diluted their pomace into a slurry and applied it to the olive grove.  One large grower took a whole truck load and will mix it with sawdust and apply to their grove.  Others have applied it under citrus trees as a mulch and a weed suppressant.  Tell us how you have used the pomace waste in your grove or elsewhere by emailing Mandy at [email protected].