Olive tree tips please? Much to my surprise, I actually come across to be looking...
Much to my surprise, I actually come across to be looking at a pretty good bring in of olives this summer. And all that within my own backyard in the Netherlands. Any tips on how to maximize the part, and on how to produce olive oil?
Answers: First sour, well done to draw from a good crop of olives from your tree within the Netherlands - usually in that sort of climate an olive would be more enhancing than productive, so you must be doing something right!
For general info, to carry on the health of the tree, it would appreciate a top dressing next to a general fertiliser 2-3 times per year when the tree is within the active growth stage. It like high level of nitrogen, but potassium and boron might also help. If you own a long dry spell, water it frequently, and if the warmth is likely to drop below going on for 5C during the winter, protect it with some fleece or similar to prevent frost interrupt.
As for producing olive oil, you call for to wait until the olives own fully ripened (ie gone black rather than green). If when you shake the tree, they dribble, they are definitely ripe! Then press them to extract the grease. I think in that is a way of refining the grease, but am afraid I don't know any more about it than said.
Good Luck!