Growing olives in Arizona

Olive Fruit

For more than a decade we have been experimenting with different olive (olea europaea) varieties to establish which varieties grow best in the Arizona desert evaluating the yield, bloom dates, harvest maturity dates, pollination,  fruit size, cold hardiness, disease resistance, and oil quality/ profile. Our grove is home to over 16 different varieties with the Frantio, Grappelo, Pendelino, Maurino, Moraiolo, Coratina, Taggiasca and Mission as the primary varieties planted. Our trees are drip irrigated and the use of pesticides or mold inhibitors are not required as there is no issue with the olive fly or any kind of olive tree molds. Hence our grove is pesticide free.

The two most important factors in the production of a high quality olive oil is the harvest date or fruit maturity and the varietal character.