New Makako-GF677 almond plantation

Once again, we will analyze different plantations and crops, focusing on woody crops to the detriment of cereals and pulse vegetables. It is true that our favorite woody crop is the olive grove, but, on this occasion, we have chosen the almond tree in order to diversify our farm . We have evaluated different plantation options and we have deduced that the field for this plantation is more favorable for almond trees. So, we are already involved in the cultivation of almond trees and even thinking that if these trees are doing well this year, we probably will expand our farm with more almond plants next year. 

The garden center where we always buy the plant, Viveros Casilla de Bayo, recommended planting the Makako variety, which is an extra late flowering variety (it will flower about 15 days later than usual). The rootstock we used was GF677. The hybrid GF677 has a medium tolerance to root asphyxia and drought, which is well adapted to chalky soils, it tolerates iron chlorosis, but it is a nematode sensitive rootstock. It confers high vigor. Therefore, we have followed the recommendations that Horacio (owner of the nursery) has made to us. 

Another decision to be taken was the planting frame. Our friend Juan, from Almendras Aljemí, encouraged us to plant in a frame of 7x6 meters in order to have a few more trees per hectare. Horacio also noted that he likes this planting frame for the almond tree and, in particular, for Makako as this variety does not involve a very bulky tree. But speaking to other farmers in our area, they all indicated that a 7x7 meter frame would be the best to be able to work without problems... so the definitive planting frame selected has been 7x7 meters. 

We are going to show you the evolution of the almond trees and we are sure that we will learn new things as the trees grow and share them with you.

Versión en español.

Olive grove. Autumn treatment

In this article we are talking about the third phytosanitary treatment in the olive grove this year. Since, we have already shown you the fruit set (June) and pre-flowering (April). On this occasion, we go with the autumn season, which in addition to nutrition, we are taking advantage to prevent some diseases such as the olive fly. In each treatment, the products we use to optimize the growth and development of the olive tree and the olives are different, always following the recommendations of our advisor Rafael Navarro. This time the treatment is based on copper and potassium sulphate, although we use other products to help nourish the tree and fatten the olives.

This autumn treatment is usually takes place in October, but this time we had to advance it until the end of September as we have had rain and the humidity could bring forward the arrival of the olive fly. In this respect, we have carried out a preventive treatment with the product Sikori (from Tradecorp) based on the active ingredient Acetamiprid. As you can see in the photos, the olives this year look superb... or maybe they did.

We say they had, because a few days ago we had some hail and many of the olives fell to the ground and others were damaged. We believe that it was not a major problem, but it will certainly have an impact on this year's yield, which seemed to be optimal. The last pictures show the state of the olives after the hail.

After this, there is little work left until the harvest: some manure spreading on some fields and soil management to control weeds... We will show you this work and give you a summary of the year.

Versión en español.