The Colli Borbonici® brand, given the increase in Customers and demand for superior quality extra virgin olive oil , has started a plan to create new olive groves that will be added to the current plantations.
For this year, the first planting of about 100 plants is underway, the cultivars of which will be mainly Carpellese, Rotondella and Frantoio. At the moment, trenches have been dug to allow the installation of the plants at an adequate level in the soil and to carry out the installation of drainage.
Further articles will follow that will tell the progress of the work and its final realization.
We would like to take this opportunity to briefly describe the key steps for creating a new olive grove .
Planting is a crucial step to ensure a productive olive grove and a high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Carefully choosing the olive variety, based on the climate and soil characteristics, is the first step towards success. It is essential to analyze the soil to verify its composition and suitability, intervening if necessary with correction techniques to ensure good drainage and an adequate supply of nutrients.
Once the soil has been prepared, the planting pattern is traced, which must respect the space and light requirements of the plants. Generally, regular patterns such as a square or rectangle are adopted, with a distance between plants that varies from 5 to 7 meters, depending on the variety and environmental conditions. A correct planting pattern not only facilitates cultivation operations, but also ensures that each plant receives the right amount of sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis and the production of fruits rich in essential oils.
Olive trees should preferably be planted in autumn or late winter, to prevent the young roots from being exposed to excessively cold temperatures or periods of drought. During planting, it is important that the plants are placed at an adequate depth, with the collar slightly raised above ground level to prevent water stagnation. Once the plants have been positioned in the prepared holes, the roots are covered with fine, well-compacted soil, watering abundantly to encourage rooting.
In the first year, young plants require special care, including regular watering, especially in the summer months, and protection against any pests. It is also advisable to install supports to support the trunk and guide vertical growth, avoiding deformations. Mulching around the base of the plants helps maintain soil moisture and reduce the growth of weeds, which can compete for nutrients.
Superior quality extra virgin olive oil begins with expertly planted trees. Each phase, from choosing the trees to caring for them in the early years, contributes to the formation of an olive grove capable of producing healthy fruit rich in those organoleptic characteristics that make extra virgin olive oil a product appreciated and sought after throughout the world. Investing time and resources in the correct installation and management of the olive grove is essential to obtaining an abundant harvest and an excellent quality oil, a true symbol of the Mediterranean diet .