Land Acquisition:  Selecting the best land for your olive grove is essential.  Olives love drained soils and full sun.  They do not like low areas or shaded areas close to an adjoining tree line.  Whether you plan a small backyard grove or a large commercial grove, land quality should be your number one concern.

Olives are an experimental crop in Florida.  Although olives have been cultivated in Florida for over 300 years, and there are currently producing olive groves in many areas of Florida. Sufficient chill hour accumulation and heavy spring rainfall are two hazards to olive production in Florida.  So far, disease has not been a significant issue.

Florida Topography

Florida Chill Zones

Many olive cultivars currently available in the U.S.  need at least 200-300 accumulated chill hours between November and March in order to bloom.  If requisite chill-hours are accumulated and there is no mid-winter warm-up, the olive tree, depending on cultivar, may bloom and fruit.  However, if the chill-hour requirement is not met the tree will produce only foliage.  Some Florida olive growers believe the best land has a gentle slope for drainage and as much elevation as possible.   Therefore it is essential to understand not only soil composition and chemistry of your proposed  land acquisition but also your chill zone and topography.

Click here for a list of licensed Florida real estate brokers who might be of assistance finding the right property for your olive grove.

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The Florida Olive Council is a non-profit organization certified under Federal tax code 501(c)(3) and Florida statutes Chapter 617.  We are supported by your contributions.  Ninety-five (95%) of your donation goes directly to supporting olive research.  Our directors and officers receive no salary or other compensation.   Donate