Olive picking

[frontalman]

Our trees are being stripped by hungry sparrows, seemed to have matured early this years (olives and sparrows). When can we start to pick them and take to olive press? I know the govt usually give a start date but our neighbour had someone picking his a day or two ago.

[paul90]

Mark - far too early for black olives, normally December.
For green olives - only when plump/fat and softish - normally not before November.
I had 15kg from our trees in Karsiyaka in November/December last year.

[frontalman]

We normally pick ours mid to late October, Paul. It's just that they seem ripe and many have fallen off already, so we are a little concerned. We have some lovely large plump ones on one of our trees which Sally will turn into lovely green olives for next year. The rest will go to the olive press for yet more olive oil.

[paul90]

Fair enough - we are still eating our black ones from last December.
Suggest picking your best green ones now, keep in water (perhaps 5% salt solution) for a while and then pick more green ones as they mature.
Have you been to the factory down the road to see what the locals are doing??

[Keithcaley]

... I know the govt usually give a start date ...

It's the 'District Officer' who gives the start date for each area isn't it? ( Shades of 'The Raj' ! ) but I don't know where his pronouncement is published...

Oh dear, that's three things that I don't know today.

I'm not going to tell you what the 3rd one is!

[Medjoul1]

We intend to pick our own olives this year, probably 1st week in November and my question is, do you provide your own containers for the oil or are they provided by the factory? This will be the one in Karsiyaka.
Thanks

[wedinnorthcyprus]

Picking has already started and yes they do seem to have ripened quick this year. The oil factory in Karalanoglu was busy yesterday. Not sure if they have announced the official picking but people are getting in early.

[Panchocat]

Medjuol1
You provide your own containers. Most hardware places sell them and you can also buy them at the olive oil press, but they do tend to sell out.

[frontalman]

... I know the govt usually give a start date ...

It's the 'District Officer' who gives the start date for each area isn't it? ( Shades of 'The Raj' ! ) but I don't know where his pronouncement is published...

Oh dear, that's three things that I don't know today.

I'm not going to tell you what the 3rd one is!

You probably don't know