News about UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Published on: November 19, 2009
The Sonoma Press-Democrat ran a brief story today about the beginning of the olive harvest in the Northern California County better known for vineyards. Although olive production in the area is no match in size for the long-established grape industry, the crop's novelty and quality attract attention.
“There are about 600 acres and 150 growers,” the story quoted Paul Vossen, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor in Sonoma County. By comparison, the county boasts 60,000 acres of vineyards.
Vossen, an internationally recognized olive oil expert, has posted extensive information on California and international olive oil production and sensory evaluation on his Web site.
Paul Vossen
Mediterranean climate enables olive trees to live without irrigation. In modern agriculture olive trees are being irrigated from spring to fall. On the other hand, olive trees are sensitive to excess of water, thus it is important to discharge the proper rate that fits the the tree size and type of soil.
We use the “Micro-Drip” irrigation made by Rain-Tal Ltd. The drip emitters discharges about 0.5L/H and 3 to 4 are placed around each tree. The water flow is operated continuously during all the days of the week, starting from March till October. The continuous water flow prevents formation of sediments at the drippers outlets and therefore clogging of drippers is avoided. Obviously this is a superior water saving method. Further details of our irrigation method are provided in our website, look for:
olive-oil-farm.co.il/moreng.html
Bi-Annual Alternate Bearing in Olive crops is known all over the Mediterranean. During the last several years we found that our crops are at the higher level every year. We relate this moderation of the Alternate Bearing to our unique irrigation method.