Often likened to a desert, Central Otago’s extreme weather of very cold winters and hot dry summers provide ideal conditions for growing healthy disease-free trees. Because of this many are able to practice a spray free regime.

Olive Trees are very hardy and enjoy climatic and environmental extremes but to get them to perform to the potential the following can help.

• Long hot summers
  
  • To help with growth and ripening. Central Otago has over 40 days above 25 degrees each year
• A good cold winter
  
  • To allow latent buds to activate
• Windy and dry conditions in the early summer (December)
  
  • Aiding good pollination of the flowers
• Irrigation
  
  • Commercial growers will water up to 30 litres per day per tree. Trees survive with no water once established but will flourish with water.
• Pruning selectively
  
  • Pruning will improve yields - kilograms per tree, and litres per kilogram.

• Tree shape planning
  
  • Helps with pollination, airflow to avoid humidity build-up, and access for sunlight
• Olive Grove planning
  
  • Tree spacing for maintenance and harvesting by hand and machinery
• Fertiliser
  
  • Will enhance tree health by adding missing nutrients in the soils
• Optional Boron and Seaweed sprays
  
  • Will enhance pollination and fruit set, and tree health
• Control of pests and diseases
  
  • Almost never required in Central Otago due to our hot very dry climate, and and freezing winters.