Gathering
When it comes to agricultural production of olives and almonds, the right time for harvest is critical to ensure high-quality production. The maturity of the fruits, the weather and the harvesting technique are some of the factors to take into account to make an optimal harvest.
Olive harvesting
Olive trees are evergreen trees and the harvest of their fruits, olives, takes place between the months of October and February. The right time for harvest depends on the state of maturity of the olives and the variety of the tree.
Green olives are in an early ripe state and have a more bitter taste, while ripe olives have a sweeter taste and are a red, purple, or dark black color. Olives can fall from the tree if you wait too long to harvest them, which can cause them to be damaged and affect the quality of the resulting oil.
It is important to assess the quality of the fruit before harvest. Olives must be firm and have a high oil content to ensure high quality production
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Almond harvesting
The almond harvest takes place between the months of August and October, when the canopy has been opened and the almonds are brown and dry. If you wait too long to pick it, the almonds can fall to the ground and be damaged.
Tips for harvesting olive and almond trees properly
Determine the optimal time of harvesting
The ideal time varies according to variety, geographical region and climatic conditions.
From the olive tree in general it is recommended when the olives change color from green to dark purple or black, and before they begin to fall off the tree. This ideal time to harvest is confirmed with periodic analysis of fat on dry matter, which allows us to understand if the growth curve of oil production is already at its maximum or is still evolving.
From the almond tree it is recommended to perform when the hoods of the almonds begin to open and the almonds turn dark brown. This ideal moment is obtained by analyzing the humidity of the almonds that, to be at its ideal moment, must be between 12-15% humidity.
Use appropriate tools and techniques
To carry out the harvest, hand tools such as combs or sticks can be used to remove the olives from the branches.
Mechanical techniques such as vibrators or harvesters can also be used, depending on the size and frame of planting.
It is important to choose the right tool and make sure it is used correctly to prevent damage to trees and olives.
Prepare the ground and equipment
Before harvesting, it is important to prepare the necessary ground and equipment. The land must be clean and free of obstacles that may interfere with the harvesting process. Equipment must be in good condition and properly adjusted to ensure its effectiveness.
Harvest at the right time of day
It is important to harvest at the right time of day to avoid excessive sun exposure. It is usually recommended to harvest early in the morning or afternoon, when temperatures are cooler.
