Story in Brief
In the United States, olives are grown with success in the interior valleys of central California and in southern Texas but little is known of their potential in the southeastern United States. The UGA Cooperative Extension agent in Pierce County and a producer initiated contacts with growers, consultants and specialists in California and Georgia throughout the winter of 2007-2008 to evaluate the potential of establishing olives in southeast Georgia. Discussions included soil type, fertility management, weed management, potential disease threats, varieties, olive oil production, marketing, and climate.In the spring of 2008, a commercial olive grove of 14 acres was established in Pierce County. Stand losses from cold injury and extremely wet field conditions have ranged between 15 and 20 percent. Based on field observations this fall, trees have progressed well, gaining on average 1.5 to 2.0 feet in height and ½ to ¾ inches in diameter the first season. Some level of fruiting is expected at year three. At this time, the adaptability and productiveness of olives in south Georgia is still yet to be determined.