Olive Frantoio

Olive Frantoio

Self fertile

Frantoio is a good dual purpose olive, lovely as a table olive and also good for oil. It has a high oil content which is why it’s grown commercially for oil production.  Frantoio is a self fertile variety that has been grow in Tuscany,  Italy for centuries, for it’s high fruit production and fruity flavour.

Olives are quite suited to our climate and they can grow in those tricky spots where others have struggled.  They’re a long lived tree and also make good potted specimens.  Their root systems are quite shallow, so they’ll need a free draining soil – they don’t like being waterlogged.

Olives are quite drought tolerant, however for good fruit production give them sufficient water. Olives ripen up in late Autumn. They all start off dark green, turning to a light green colour before turning black. Harvesting is done at either stage, light green or black before pickling  or making oil.  Frantoio is self-fertile, but fruit production can be increased if another suitable variety is close by – 10-15metres – so the bees don’t have too far to travel!