Quick facts
| Arabic name | الزيتون |
|---|---|
| English name | Olive (Zaytoon) |
| Scientific name | Olea europaea |
| Family | Olive family (Oleaceae) |
| Plant type | Evergreen tree |
| Height | Usually 5 to 10 m |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
January to March
Harvest time
September to November
Commercial fruiting starts after 4 to 5 yearsJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A twisted trunk with age, narrow leaves that are silver underneath, small white flowers in spring, and fruits that turn from green to black.
Where it grows
Grown widely in Al-Jouf, which holds yearly olive events, and in Tabuk and the farms of Rafha in the Northern Borders.
Soil
Well-drained soil. Handles poor and limy soil, but not standing water.
Water and irrigation
Drought tolerant, but regular water gives more fruit.
Climate and light
Hot dry summer and cold winter. It needs winter cold to flower, and full sun.
Propagation
From cuttings and grafting.
Benefits and uses
- Olive oil
- Table olives
- Leaves in folk medicine
- Wood for crafts
Drawbacks
- Needs winter cold and does not suit very hot areas
- Alternate bearing: a big crop one year, a small one the next
- Its pollen causes allergy for some people
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Olea europaea
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Olea europaea
- Wikipedia: Olive
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)