Technical solutions to problems in the setting up of new olive groves
Italiano English

VIVAI
PIETRO PACINI

The olive grove

Technical solutions to problems in the setting up of new olive groves


tipo di impianto oliveto intensivo


Unlike what is often believed, the olive tree needs mild to hot climates, with mild winters, no lasting low temperatures, and not abundant rains. This tree needs a lot of light, and this aspect needs to be taken into consideration when planning the kind of olive grove and when trimming the trees.

To set up the olive grove it is necessary to carry out the following:

  • Ground leveling to eliminate depressions or banks;
  • Basic fertilizing and simultaneously braking up with organic mineral fertilizers to create a suitable fertilizing supply;
  • Breaking up or scarification to be carried out in summer and at an average depth of 70-90 cm.
  • Layout of the drainage net and creation of a drainage system to ensure the elimination of exceeding water, thereby avoiding water stagnation in the areas where the tree roots are located;
  • Indication of the areas where the trees have to be planted;
  • Refinement of the ground before bedding out the trees;
  • Bedding out of the trees in a square or rectangular layout, according to the distances agreed.
Today the olive trees come from the nursery in a pot. This choice facilitates the taking root of the trees and reduces the cultivation cares during the setting up of the olive grove. The setting up starts with the laying out of a “tutor post”, then a 30-35 cm deep pit is made in a specific point, where the root system of the tree is located.

Usually the bedding out occurs with self-rooted trees aged 18-24 months, or with grafted trees. In both cases it is advised to keep the tree in a vertical position, to plant it slightly deeper than it was in the nursery, and fill up the pit with dry and finely crushed earth.

To complete the perfect contact of the earth with the roots and allow the trees to grow, it is necessary to irrigate the ground a few times and use a nitrogenous fertilizer with urea (max 50g) during spring. In warmer climates the best period to do this is in autumn. This way the taking root is facilitated and the young tree, by using the winter rains, can get ready to grow again the following spring.

Vice versa, in cold climates it is better to do this right before the tree starts to grow again (March) to avoid the frequent and sudden spring temperature drops.

When the setting up is planned in windy areas, it is advisable to protect the foliage from the wind, by using natural windbreaks (specific plants) or other materials (nets, etc.) and fix the tree to a suitable wooden post.

When the trees have been bedded out, they don’t have to be abandoned, but they will need the necessary cares, in order for them to grow perfectly. It is possible to cut some lateral branches, whereas in spring it is necessary to protect the tree against animal and/or vegetal parasites.