Planning

Planning for the grove started in 2001, with a site survey (carried out by good friend Paul Hooykaas). The survey data was entered into a computer program (Micromine - normally used for analysing geological and mining data) and the softare was used to optimise the tree spacing and orientation, and to calculate the number of trees required for each part of the grove. Final spacing decided on was 6m by 3m for oil varieties and 5m by 5m for table olive varieties.

A three-dimensional computer image of the grove with the planned tree layout is shown below.

computer map

Six separate grove areas were defined by the existing paddock layout and different varieties were planned for each grove. The flat to slightly undulating groves with long lines of trees were designated for oil varieties,with the potential for mechanical harcesting in the future. The steeper, narrower groves were ear-marked for table olive varieties where hand-picking would be essential for optimum fruit quality.

Several soil samples were taken in each grove area and analysis showed the soil had a very low pH and was deficient in most required elements, which was not unexpected with the granite bedrock.

A plan was developed to add mineral dust derived from basaltic rocks with added trace elements to adjust the mineral deficencies and to complement this with lime (with magnesium added) to raise the pH.

Planning for the irrigation system was also started in early 2002, with specialist West Australian company Quinti commissioned to produce a design which would allow dripper irrigation and fertigation to each tree using a fully automated system. The system was designed using computer-aided design software, and integrated with the computerised grove designs.