We've been busy mulchin'

This week 64 bales of wheaten straw, weighing 480kgs each, arrived at the olive grove on a B-Double truck. And so began our endeavor to mulch the entire 5,000 tree olive grove!

A couple of days later, we are happy to report, that load has been spread around the trees and another load is on the way!

The second load will include half a B-Double load of duck poo as well. We will spread this on top of the mulch to add some nitrogen back to the soil and help the mulch break down quicker. As you know at Red Rock Olives, we like to add back what we take. Plus, this straw is damaged so we are using two waste products – the straw and the poo.

We know what you're thinking – will our olives and oil taste like shit now?
No, of course not. We are hoping it will taste better than ever!
Happy trees, happy olives, happy, healthy us!

The reasons we are mulching the grove include:
• It helps to hold up to 30% water retention in the soil
• Increased soil biology
• Cool the roots of the trees in the heat of summer
• We take a lot out of the grove. It's time to give back.