December in the Olive Grove

Usually there is very little to do in the olive grove in December, which is not a bad thing at this time of year!! 

Flowering will be in full swing and soon you will be able to see little fruit buds appear where the flowers once were.  That is, presuming a good pollination despite the very strong nor’west winds that have persisted throughout Spring.

With all the regular rain Marlborough has been getting the growth has been exceptional and has given the trees really good soil moisture for flowering and all the energy required there.  The foliage growth may need to be trimmed if it’s a bit too robust.  Clear out young soft growth in the centre of trees before it hardens off and is more difficult to remove.  It’s important to keep the canopy light and open now as flowers turn into fruit buds, they need sunshine to grow.

Suckers/water shoots are also prolific at this time of year so knock/boot them off from the base of the trees while they are young and pliable.  They will sap energy from the trees which would be much better going into fruit development.  You’ll probably only have to do this once as all the excessive new growth will ease off as the temperatures increase over summer and we start to dry out.
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Take some time over the holiday season to enjoy your olive trees and show them off to friends and family who visit.  Talk about the wonderful olive oil you are going to produce from those trees and invite them back to help with harvest!!
Enjoy the shade of your olive trees over what is shaping up to be a very hot December.
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