What are the best varieties?
treesThis is just about the hardest question of the lot. There are literally hundreds of different species of olive tree out there … or more precisely, hundreds of varieties of Oliva europa, the European Olive.
There is no established history of olive growing in the Hunter, with most of the trees being planted since 1990. We simply don’t have a proven list of “best trees for the area” and are still at the “trial & error” stage of planting various species and discovering which do better than others.
However, some information can be given based on what you wish to do with the fruit. Certain species are better for pickling, others for oil. There are plenty of proven varieties available, originally from Spain, Italy, Greece and other Mediterranean countries as well as USA, South America and Australia.
What growing conditions are best?
The olive tree is originally from the Mediterranean area and seems best suited to a Mediterranean climate, i.e. dry summers, wet winters. As a general rule The Hunter has dry winters and wet, all year round rainfall with humid summers, particularly near the coast, and therefore is not textbook perfect for the traditional climate for growing olives.
However, the climatic limitations are not serious and can be overcome with care and attention. As long as you do not have winter frosts below -8°C and have irrigation water available, you should be able to grow olives successfully in the Hunter Valley and possibly better than some Mediterranean countries. The trees do need a period of dormancy brought on by cold conditions (daily average below 12°C ) to trigger flowering. The trees do not like extreme cold and will die below -8°C and the requirement for a good watering during winter can be overcome with an effective irrigation system.
What soil type is best?
Olives like a well-drained soil, so the medium to heavy clay which is found around many parts of the Hunter is not ideal. With a program of soil improvement most of the soil types in the Valley can be improved enough to make growing successful.
We would strongly recommend having a comprehensive soil test done by a qualified soil specialist before considering planting. This soil test could be the best $150 you ever spend. The area to be planted should also be tested for its ability to drain.
Should I plant oil or pickling olives?
There is a decent demand for pickling olives and indeed this is something that anybody can do at home. So, if you are planting half a dozen trees, it is probably best to look at pickling and if you plan to plant 10,000, you should at least consider oil. Oil olives sell for around $1 a kilo (depending on oil content). Pickling olives sell for up to $3 a kilo (if they are in perfect condition and you can find a buyer).
Should I plant Green or Black Olives?
Green or BlackEverybody’s favourite question! All olives start off green and turn black as they ripen. Unlike grapes which have white and black varieties, an olive tree can give you both green and black olives, as well as many shades in between.
Unripe, green olives have less oil but have a stronger, more pungent flavour. Ripe black olives have more oil but can lack “bite”. Harvest time determines the colour of the olive and the taste of the oil … usually April / May / June in the Hunter.
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