2026 Olive Growers Calendar
Jan. 8, 2026
Here is the 2026 olive grower's calendar
A useful series of month-by-month instructions for correct agronomic management of the olive grove, with an indication of the active substances that can be used, updated for the new year.
The 2026 olive growing season requires careful , planned, and technically up-to-date management . The following monthly schedule offers an operational overview of the olive tree's phenological phases, agronomic practices, and pest control strategies, with active ingredients updated and consistent with current availability.
This document, designed to support olive growers in their monthly planning of activities, is applicable to traditional, intensive, and super-intensive olive groves. The phenological phases and pest management strategies are common to all planting types, as they are based on the physiology of the olive tree and the biology of the main pests.
The operational differences mainly concern soil management, pruning, irrigation, and mechanization, which each farm will adapt based on planting density and training system.
January – Vegetative Rest
The olive tree is in its dormant phase. In grassy olive groves, subsoilers are used to cut the soil up to 30 cm deep without disturbing the grass cover. In bare soil, fixed-tine or spring-loaded subsoilers are used, working at 30–35 cm without bringing soil to the surface. Pruning focuses on removing loosened wood and repairing decayed wood.
February – Initial vegetative awakening
. Production pruning continues. After pruning, a copper treatment is recommended to reduce the fungal load and encourage the fall of leaves affected by peacock spot. The young plants are being planted in the new orchards.
March – Vegetative recovery
Pruning is completed. If not done in February, a copper treatment is applied. In the presence of fleotribo and fleotibo, bait bundles are placed to capture adults. Planting continues in the new orchards.
April – Budding:
The apical and lateral shoots elongate and the first buds appear. Nitrogen fertilization is applied to the soil or through the leaves. Monitoring begins for the overwintering olive fly, the olive moth (anthophagous generation), the gall midge, and the brown marmorated stink bug. Traps are set for the yellow woodworm. Late April: Mass-trapping traps for the olive fruit fly are set up and remain active for 180 days.
May – Flowering:
The peas develop and enter full bloom. Nitrogen and trace elements are used, with particular attention to boron. Monitoring for the European moth continues, and the bait bundles for woodworm are removed. For the common peacock moth, use copper-based or dodine. Traps for the common peacock moth are set.
June – Fruit Set
After flowering, fruit set and the beginning of fruit growth occur. Olive moth infestation is monitored and, if necessary, insecticides are applied. During the first ten days of June, mass traps are set for the olive fruit fly, which remain active for 90 days. Olive mealybugs, scale insects, brown marmorated stink bugs, and common stink bugs are also monitored. For peacock spot and cercosporiosis, copper-based products, dodine, strobilurins, triazoles, or bicarbonates are used.
July – Stone hardening.
The olive fruit fly initiates its first summer generation. Anti-spawning agents (kaolin, zeolite, lime, talc) and, if necessary, insecticides are used. The proper functioning of the olive fruit fly mass-capture traps, food attractants, and hormones is verified.
August – Inolition:
Olives begin to form lipids. Green pruning is performed to eliminate suckers, shoots, and damaged branches. Fly monitoring continues, and anti-spawning agents and insecticides are used. Margaronia and brown marmorated stink bugs are controlled. Copper-based treatments are used for peacock eye and sooty mold. After hailstorms, wounds are disinfected with copper.
September – Early veraison.
Fly monitoring continues and insecticides are applied if necessary. Margaronia and brown marmorated stink bugs are controlled. Synthetic bands are applied to the base of the trunk to control vine weevils. In the case of widespread peacock spot, copper-based treatments are used, which are also useful for containing possible olive leaf spot infections.
October – Advanced veraison and harvest.
The land is prepared for harvest. Harvesting begins between the second and third week. Monitoring for the fly continues, applying active ingredients according to the withdrawal periods. If yellow woodworm is present, the larvae are removed from the galleries manually.
November – Harvest and autumn fertilization
Once the harvesting operations are completed, autumn fertilization and a copper treatment are carried out for post-harvest disinfection. In case of high infection rates during the minting cycle, dodine can be used.
December – Vegetative Rest:
The olive tree enters full dormancy. In anticipation of lower temperatures, apply foliar fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium, along with biostimulants to increase frost resistance. This is the ideal time to regulate surface water and control drainage to prevent stagnation. In the event of severe blights or peacock spot, remove any remaining "mummified" olives from the canopy.
Active substances updated for 2026
Fly baits: Spinosad; Cyazypyr; protein baits with Deltamethrin or Acetamiprid.
Synthetic insecticides: Acetamiprid; Flupyradifurone; Deltamethrin; Lambda-cyhalothrin.
Natural and organic insecticides: Natural pyrethrum; Neem oil; Azadirachtin; Orange essential oil; Mineral oils; Potassium soft soaps; Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki; Beauveria bassiana.
Anti-spawning agents: Kaolin; zeolite; talc; bentonite; agricultural lime; wood distillate.
Fungicides: Cupric; Copper + Sulfur; Dodine; Potassium phosphonate; Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin; Difenoconazole + Azoxystrobin; Pyraclostrobin; bicarbonates; Bacillus subtilis QST 713; Trichoderma.
Bactericides: Cupric; Copper + Sulfur; Bacillus subtilis QST 713; zinc-based products.
