Strengthening Your Olive Trees for the Seasons Ahead

As we move into autumn in South Africa, olive growers begin preparing their orchards for the cooler months ahead. While growth naturally slows down during winter, this seasonal pause is actually an opportunity to plan for a strong, healthy start when spring arrives.

Healthy olive trees are built on two foundations: proactive pest management at the right time of year and consistent feeding to support vigorous growth.

Understanding the Seasonal Cycle

In South Africa, most fruit trees — including olives — enter dormancy during winter. Pest activity drops significantly during this period, making it the ideal time to prepare for preventative treatment at the beginning of the next growth season (early spring).

Rather than reacting to infestations, a once-a-year systemic treatment applied correctly can protect trees as they push new growth.

Annual Growth-Season Pest Protection

At the start of the growth season, we recommend applying Koinor as a preventative treatment.

Application Guidelines for Olive Trees:

• Mixing ratio: 3 ml Koinor per 1 litre of water

• Timing: Once per year, at the beginning of the growth season (early spring)

• Preparation: First give your trees a thorough watering

• Application: Apply 200 ml of the prepared mixture onto the soil surface around each tree

Koinor will remain in the system of the olive tree for 4 months.  Therefore there will be no residue on the fruit.  In other words, the Koinor gets added when the tree starts growing and flowering before there is any fruit. 

Watering beforehand helps the product move effectively into the root zone, allowing the tree to absorb it as new growth begins.

Because insects are generally dormant during winter, this early-season application ensures protection as pest activity resumes.

The Importance of Regular Feeding

Strong trees are naturally more resistant to pests and disease. Feeding is not just about growth — it’s about long-term resilience.

At Planting:

Incorporate 5 handfuls of biogenic organic all-purpose pellets into the soil when planting each tree.

Ongoing Feeding Schedule:

Instead of feeding every three months, a more consistent approach delivers better results. Every month: 3 handfuls of biogenic organic all-purpose pellets per tree. This steady nutrient supply:

• Accelerates growth

• Strengthens root development

• Improves overall tree health

• Supports better fruit production

Consistent feeding ensures the tree never enters a nutrient deficit, especially during active growth phases in spring and summer.

Building Stronger Olive Orchards in South Africa

March is the ideal time to assess tree health, improve soil conditions, and plan your spring treatment strategy. By combining proper seasonal timing, once-a-year preventative pest control and consistent organic feeding you create the conditions for vigorous growth and productive harvests year after year.

Healthy trees are not the result of reactive treatments, they are the result of consistent, well-timed care aligned with South Africa’s natural growing cycle.