How to Grow Gordal Olive
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Gordal Olive
Olea europaea 'Gordal'
treeGordal is a large, meaty olive cultivar prized for table olives rather than oil production. Known for its substantial fruit size and mild flavor, it originated in Spain and is popular in Mediterranean regions. The tree is vigorous, semi-upright, and moderately productive.
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Example Gordal Olive timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Gordal Olive
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Gordal Olive
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Gordal Olive dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8b-10a with hot, dry summers
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Establishment (Year 1-2)
2 yearsYoung tree with developing canopy and establishing root system. Limited flowering and fruiting.
Water regularly to establish deep roots. Prune to develop strong scaffold branches. Protect from extreme cold. Fertilize moderately with balanced formula.
Young Productive (Year 3-5)
2-3 yearsTree begins flowering and setting fruit. Small to moderate crop sizes as tree matures.
Continue shaping and pruning. Thin fruit if necessary to encourage larger olives. Increase potassium and phosphorus fertilization.
Flowering
4-6 weeksSmall, inconspicuous white-yellow flowers appear in spring (April-May in Northern Hemisphere). Flowers clustered in panicles along branches.
Avoid heavy pruning during flowering. Ensure adequate water during bloom. Pollination is mostly self-compatible but cross-pollination improves yield.
Fruit Development (Summer-Early Fall)
3-4 monthsFruits develop from June through early fall, growing to large size (3-5 cm). Color transitions from green to yellow-brown to black when fully ripe.
Maintain consistent watering during fruit development. Monitor for pests and diseases. Thin crowded fruit if pursuing premium-size olives.
Harvest (Fall-Early Winter)
2-3 monthsFruit reaches full maturity and changes color. Gordal olives are ready for harvest from October-December depending on region and desired ripeness.
Harvest by hand-picking or mechanical shaking onto tarps. Handle carefully to avoid bruising. Cool immediately after harvest.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use pheromone traps, remove fallen fruit, apply insecticidal soaps or spinosad in late summer, encourage natural parasitoid wasps
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Prune for air circulation, apply copper fungicide in fall and spring, avoid overhead watering, remove infected leaves
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Prune heavily infested branches, apply horticultural oil in dormant season, encourage natural parasites and predators
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Prune out affected branches, sterilize pruning tools, avoid overhead irrigation, apply copper-based bactericides
Uses
Table Olives & Curing
CulinaryGordal's large, meaty fruit is prized for green and black table olives. The substantial flesh provides excellent texture for brining, pitting, and stuffing with peppers, almonds, or cheese. Commonly cured in brine or lye solutions. [source]
Virgin Olive Oil
CulinaryWhile not a premium oil cultivar, Gordal olives can be pressed for oil. The oil has a mild, buttery flavor suitable for finishing dishes and salads rather than high-heat cooking. [source]
Mediterranean Landscaping
HouseholdThe attractive foliage, moderate size, and picturesque growth habit make Gordal olives valuable ornamental specimen trees in Mediterranean and xeriscape gardens. Long lifespan (100+ years) provides lasting landscape structure. [source]
Antioxidant & Heart Health
MedicinalOlive fruit and oil contain polyphenols and oleic acid with documented cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits, supporting the Mediterranean diet model's health reputation. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Food Source
WildlifeEstablished olive trees provide shelter for birds and pollinators, while the abundant autumn fruit supports wildlife populations during fall and early winter migration and feeding seasons. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Gordal olives are typically harvested green (mature but not fully ripe) for table consumption, or left to turn black for oil or curing. Hand-pick individual olives or gently shake branches onto tarps. Harvest from October through December in most regions. The large fruit size makes them ideal for brining and stuffing. Chill immediately after harvest to maintain quality.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Gordal means 'fat' or 'plump' in Spanish, referring to the distinctively large fruit size—often 4-5 times larger than typical olive varieties.
- 🌱 Olive trees are incredibly long-lived; mature Gordal specimens can produce fruit for 100+ years and some ancient trees exceed 500 years old.
- 🌱 The majority of Gordal olives globally are grown in Andalusia, Spain, where they are called 'Sevillanas' and are the foundation of Spanish green olive production.
Gardening Terms
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