We decided to become fully organic three years ago and our next harvest will
carry the British Soil Association mark. We care for our valley, and the animals
and plants we share it with and so have adopted alternative methods of pest
control and fertilisation. We aim to create the freshest most natural olives
and oil that can possibly be produced, whilst respecting our beautiful valley
and its inhabitants with which we share it.
Our organic farming practices include growing cover crops between the olive
trees to encourage insects. They in turn eat the pests that affect the olives
growth & quality and have been a very successful method of pest control.
When ploughed back into the soil the cover crops also act as fertiliser adding
essential nutrients. This extra organic matter is rich in nitrogen, a key component
in the healthy growth of our trees.
During the annual spring pruning we use a chipper to mulch our cuttings. This
mulch is then spread around the base of the trees to decompose adding goodness
back into the soil. By concentrating on the root area under each tree the mulch
keeps weeds down that would normally compete with the tree for nutrients. Some
is also ploughed directly into the soil to help aeration and to stop the soil
becoming waterlogged in the winter.
Through specially designed gates in our boundary wall we encourage wild boar
and other animals from the surrounding forest to come into the olive grove.
Along with our own pigs they do an essential job in turning over the soil and
adding manure, a very rich source of valuable nutrients. |
