March in the olive grove: the spring awakening and the first steps towards a new harvest

In March, the olive grove wakes up from its winter lethargy, starting a new vegetative cycle with shoots, tissue renewal and preparation for flowering. The change in the colour of the leaves and the activation of the yolks mark this reactivation. Foliar fertilisers are applied to support growth and preventive treatments against repilo are carried out. Soil moisture and increased light and temperature are key in this process. This month is decisive for determining the performance of the next harvest.

With the arrival of March, the olive grove definitively abandons its winter lethargy. It is the month in which, under normal conditions, trees begin to show clear signs of physiological reactivation. The sap circulates again, the tissues are renewed and the plant begins a new stage of growth that will lay the foundations of the next campaign.

Signs of the awakening of the olive tree

One of the first manifestations of this change is the colour of the leaves. During the winter, the green-brown tone of the foliage reflected the inactivity of the tree. Now, that dull appearance is transformed into a brighter, brighter and more intense olive green, an unequivocal sign that metabolic activity has returned.

The buds of the shoots, which until recently remained closed, begin to expand and change shape. They widen, lengthen and acquire volume, which indicates that the olive tree is preparing to emit new tissues: stems, leaves and, later, flowers. This process marks the beginning of a life cycle that will culminate with the formation of the fruit.

Self-repair and structural regeneration

At the same time, the olive tree begins a natural recovery process against the damage suffered during harvesting. Broken branches, pruning cuts or leaf loss begin to be compensated by new shoots and regenerative tissues. This self-repair capacity is vital to maintain the productive structure of the tree, renewing those parts that have aged or suffered stress. The plant regenerates and strengthens, laying the foundations for future performance.

Birth of the next harvest

March is, therefore, a decisive month for the following year's performance. The yolks that are now activated will give rise, in many varieties, to floral organs. In the following weeks, these buds will be transformed into inflorescences, whose flowering and subsequent pollination will define the success of the curdling and, therefore, the quantity and quality of the fruit. It is a key moment in the agronomic planning of the olive grove.

Leaf nutrition: essential support in the start-up

For this physiological reactivation to take place without limitations, the farmer must ensure the correct supply of nutrients. Unlike the previous months, where the fertiliser was heading to the ground, now foliar fertiliser is used, since the olive tree metabolism is active and the absorption through the leaves is especially effective.

Through spray applications, the nutrients are absorbed directly by the foliage and distributed throughout the plant through the sap. This type of fertilisation is very efficient at this stage, since it allows you to quickly correct possible deficiencies and stimulate a uniform and vigourous growth of the new organs.

Water: a key element right now

The rains of late winter and early spring play a decisive role. If the soil has enough moisture, metabolic reactivation will be more intense and effective. A good level of water available favours the expansion of sap and the mobilisation of nutrients, facilitating a strong and balanced start to the cycle.

In 2024 and 2025, the rainfall recorded in February and March have been favourable, which has allowed a good water recharge in many plots. This scenario is especially promising to ensure a correct start of the olive grove and improve harvest expectations.

Light and temperature: signs of the change of season

Along with water and nutrients, the plant also responds to the increase in daylight hours and the gradual rise in temperatures. In March, the days are already significantly longer than in January, and the solar energy received directly stimulates the photosynthesis processes. This set of stimuli completely activates the "biological clock" of the olive tree, which interprets these signals as the arrival of spring.