Fertiliser for olive trees

Interesting, we have 80 olive trees and would never use anything chemical on them, neither would our neigbours, so why do you feel the need to do so?, some of our trees are very old and still producing, we have very good olive oil and the use of chemicals to produce this seems that it is no longer organic.? But interested in your reply.A

 I understand that olive trees should not be fed. On the other hand they do need to be watered regularly.  But please keep us informed about the progress that your plants are making.

The production of stems, leaves, roots and fruits by the olive tree is a drain on the soil's reserves of nitrogen, phosphates, potash and other nutrients.  Lack of these ingredients in the soil will lead to poor growth, lack of resistance to diseases, sparse fruiting or fruiting in alternate years. The soil's reserve is normally replenished by the addition of fertilizers, usually in early spring.  Organic fertilzers is added in the form of well-rotted manure around the base of the tree, this will also act as a mulch slowing down evaporation.  In our part of Tuscany green horse manure is sometimes avaliable, that is if you know somebody with horses and who wants to clear and clean the stables.  The green manure should be kept until well-rotted and then applied liberally.  Sheep's dung is more readily available but has not the mulching potential of well-rotted manure.  If neither is available then the local Consorzio normally sells organic fertilizer.  The fertilizer is normally in pellet form and is applied to the base of the tree.  To retain the organic qualities of your their oil our friends normally have their olives pressed by the local "frantoio" with a steel press.  The steel press is washed between each batch of olives.  If their olive production is low my friends would combine thier harvest and would share the oil pro-rata.  I understand pressing by stone would lead to mixing with the previous batch, which may not be organic, as the press is not washed between sessions.  Oil from a steel press is normally more "piccante".Olive trees are very adaptable: I only water my young plants.  I am told not to water too much as this affect the oil yield. The book "Coltivare L'olivo e utilzzarne i fruitti" by Adriano Del Frabro published by Giunti Demetra (ISBN88-440-2866-2) price 7.50 Euro is an excellent source of information. 

Serge, thanks for the information. Very interesting. 

Thanks Serge, I cannot get anyone around here to part with their manure, but there is a stables on the road to Amandola so could try there.A

An authority on olive growing and harvesting who lives near Orvieto and was previously Australiam Minster of Agriculture has written this book which I recommend most highly:http://www.cottage-umbria.com/GrowingOlives.htmlAlso the rest of his website makes good reading.Y 

 Thank you, Yvonne, most interesting. A great help for those with olive trees.

My family owns a big olive groove. My father prunes trees each year, paying attention not to affect the sprouting part.People who prefer not to use chemicals products may look for and find biological fertilizers - there are many with good effects:www.siapa.mi.it/siapa/aree_business.cfmThe name of the fertilizer is not so important. Carefully look at which elements a fertilizer is composed by.The ideal fertilizer for olive trees is an organic-mineral fertilizer - a mixture of NPK (Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium) elements plus organic one. An example is the Siapor Miura 12-6-8 that you may find in every Consorzio Agrario. (the important think it is the 12-6-8 - or so - NPK's measure) www.capferrara.it/settori.php I know that the pellet format is easily and fast absorbed by trees.Before using a chemical product be aware how to manage it! www.siapa.mi.it/siapa/normative.cfm