Establishing a Carob Orchard: A Planning Guide
A carob orchard is a long-term investment that can yield for decades after it is established, but returns its first income after a few years. The basis of a successful garden is therefore planning before the sapling enters the ground: the right location, the appropriate variety and pollinator layout, sensible planting spacing, water plan and a realistic yield expectation.
In this guide, we discuss the planning steps for those who are considering establishing a carob orchard. We benefit from the feasibility reports published by public institutions and the trial results in Spain, Portugal and the Balearic Islands; We list the cost items item by item, without giving figures, as current prices change rapidly.
Why Should You Care About Planning?
Most mistakes made in carob are noticed years later. A garden planted in the wrong place or whose pollinator is forgotten only presents the problem when the trees reach the age of flowering and fruiting. According to the compilation by Martins-Loução et al. (2024), most varieties start commercial production 6–7 years after planting. In Erbaş's (2024) report, it is stated that full yield is reached at the age of 20–25 years. This long time horizon multiplies the importance of initial decisions.
The same review also draws attention to the lack of knowledge in carob cultivation: It is emphasized that limited knowledge about the biology of the species and appropriate agricultural practices restricts the quantity and quality of the fruit that reaches the industry. Planning is the way to reduce these uncertainties as much as possible.
Step 1: Site Selection – Climate
Carob is a Mediterranean tree. The prominent climatic boundaries in the sources are as follows:
- Areas with warm winters and hot and dry summers are ideal (Tous and Ferguson, 1996).
- Frosts of -4 °C and below can kill young trees and damage shoots and flowers in older trees (Tous and Ferguson, 1996).
- Erbaş (2024) states that adult trees are damaged below -4 °C and can withstand up to -7 °C.
- In our country, natural areas have been determined from 800–1,000 m above sea level (OGM, 2020); however, warm areas with low frost risk should be preferred for commercial gardens.
- It is stated that approximately 500–550 mm of rainfall is required annually for commercial yield (Tous and Ferguson, 1996); if the rainfall is below 400 mm, complementary irrigation is recommended (Erbaş, 2024).
Hollow areas that create frost pockets on the land, valley floors where cold air accumulates and cool slopes facing north should be carefully evaluated. Considering that carob blooms in autumn, places where early autumn frosts are seen are also risky.
Step 2: Site Selection – Soil and Terrain
Carob is not picky in terms of soil; but it does not compromise on one thing: drainage. Tous and Ferguson (1996) state that the tree adapts to a wide range of soils but requires good drainage. Erbaş (2024) states that the most suitable soils are well-drained loamy soils, calcareous soils are also suitable, and they cannot withstand soils with high ground water. The report of the General Directorate of Forestry also defines carob as the most suitable ground (OGM, 2020) and that carob does not like moist soils and red soils (terra rossa) as the most suitable ground (OGM, 2020).
The adaptability of carob to marginal lands is an important advantage in garden planning. In the Balearic Islands, some local varieties entered production in the fifth year in a trial conducted on a land with low rainfall and limiting soil conditions, without the use of any inputs (Barceló et al., 2023). However, the information that "can be planted on marginal land" does not mean that "it gives the highest yield on marginal land". Martins-Loução et al. (2024) state that yields are lower in soils with low organic matter, and nitrogen, along with water, is the main factor limiting production.
The following should also be considered when choosing a location:
- Transportation and vehicle entry for harvesting and maintenance
- Access to water supply (at least for the years of establishment)
- Land slope and erosion risk
- Previous crop and soil-borne disease history
- Wildlife and grazing pressure in the environment (fencing requirement)
Step 3: Variety and Sapling Selection
The product for which the garden will be aimed determines the choice of variety. In trials in Spain, varieties such as Rojal and Mulata yielded large pods and showed a low seed rate, while varieties such as Albarcara and Duraio were found to have a higher seed rate (Tous et al., 2008; 2009). Therefore, if pulp products such as flour, powder and kibble are targeted, types with fleshy pods come to the fore, and if gum raw materials are targeted, types with abundant seeds come to the fore. In Turkey, cultivation is largely done with local types adapted to the region; grafting material taken from trees known to give good results in the region is a safe start.
There are two options for sapling type. According to the investor guide of the General Directorate of Forestry, ungrafted saplings obtained from natural seeds can be planted and grafted after one year in the planting area, or grafted 1+0 or 2+0 aged covered saplings can be used in the nursery (OGM, 2020). Grafted saplings provide earlier fruiting, but are more expensive and carry the risk of not keeping grafts in the nursery (Martins-Loução et al., 2024). Erbaş (2024) states that the most efficient and common grafting method is the T-budding performed in April-May.
Step 4: Pollinator (Male Tree) Plan
Carob is mostly a separate sexual tree; In order for female trees to bear fruit, male or male trees are needed to provide flower dust. The suggestions in the sources on this subject are close to each other:
| Source | Pollinator recommendation |
|---|---|
| Tous and Ferguson (1996) | In new gardens, 1 male or male tree for every 8 female trees |
| Feedipedia | About 12% pollinator trees in gardens |
| Tous et al. (2008; 2009) | About 12% of trial gardens are pollinators |
Tous and Ferguson (1996) also note that in traditional gardens, male branches are grafted onto female trees instead of planting separate male trees. Using hermit varieties is also an option; Notably, the varieties that worked best in the Balearic trial were hermaculous (Barceló et al., 2023). Martins-Loução et al. (2024), on the other hand, remind us that the number of male trees in gardens varies depending on the variety, region, and local practice, and this knowledge is largely based on experience. The regular distribution of pollinator trees throughout the garden makes it easier for the flower dust, carried by wind and insects, to reach all female trees.
Step 5: Planting Spacing and Planting
| Source | Planting spacing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| GDF (2020); Erbaş (2024) | 6 x 6 m | Planting pit 30–40 cm deep |
| Alanya Carob geographical indication (2025) | 5 x 5 m | About 40 saplings per acre |
| Barceló et al. (2023) | 8 x 8 m | Marginal, input-free trial |
| Tous et al. (2008; 2009) | 8 x 9 m | 138–139 trees per hectare, dry condition |
The general trend is as follows: Wider spacing in water and soil-limited, dry conditions; more dense planting is preferred in irrigated, fertile lands. When determining the spacing, the passage of harvesting and maintenance machines should also be taken into account.
For planting time, the General Directorate of Forestry's report recommends the period when the soil is in the pan in autumn or spring; it recommends cultivating the land at a depth of 40–60 cm at least one year before planting. Erbaş (2024) recommends approximately 1 ton of burnt farm manure per decare for planting pits. In the Alanya geographical indication certificate, it is recommended to plant barren lands in autumn, irrigable lands in spring, and irrigation for two years after planting (Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, 2025).
Step 6: Water Plan
Carob is drought tolerant; however, endurance and productivity are not the same thing. In the report of the General Directorate of Forestry, it is stated that drip or sprinkler irrigation can be used, and spring and autumn irrigation positively affect yield (OGM, 2020). Martins-Loução et al. (2024) report that in new orchards with 208 trees planted per hectare, the amount of irrigation varies in a wide range between 600–2,000 m³ per hectare, even under the same soil-climatic conditions. The same review emphasizes that the distribution of precipitation over months is more important than the total annual rainfall.
In practice, at least in the first years, life water and regular irrigation should be planned for the root development of the seedlings, and complementary irrigation should be planned in dry years.
Step 7: Cost Items
We do not give figures here as current prices change rapidly. In the feasibility report prepared by the General Directorate of Forestry for a 100-decare sample garden, facility expenses consist of the following items (OGM, 2020):
- Topsoil cultivation and full-area tillage
- Planting site marking, pit opening and sapling planting
- Fence (iron post, barbed wire and their installation)
- Drip irrigation system
- Sapling transportation and distribution in the field with sapling price
- Farm manure to be used in planting
- Project cost and material-equipment
Annual operating expenses include labor, land rent, electricity-fuel oil, management expenses, unexpected expenses, and depreciation. In the same report, it is seen that the sapling cost is the largest item in facility expenses. Erbaş (2024) states that harvest labor accounts for approximately 30-35% of the total production cost. These two pieces of information clearly show the impact of the selection of sapling type in the garden plan and the garden layout that will facilitate harvesting on the cost.
Public supports
In the report of the General Directorate of Forestry, it is stated that within the scope of the afforestation regulation, support can be given up to 25% of the investment expense subject to the grant for special afforestation works to be carried out in degraded forest areas, treasury lands and owned lands; and it is stated that up to 65% support can be provided for real persons registered in the forest village population and residing in the village for areas up to 3 hectares (OGM, 2020). Since the support conditions may change over time, up-to-date information should be obtained from the relevant regional directorate of forestry before the application.
Step 8: Realistic Yield Expectation
In the carob orchard, income does not come all at once. In the feasibility report of the General Directorate of Forestry, income was calculated from the 6th year, and surplus income was predicted from the 7th year (OGM, 2020). In Feedipedia, it is stated that the world average yield is 1.7 tons per hectare, and 5-7 tons in modern production. In variety trials in Spain, it was observed that the cumulative yield varied significantly according to the variety (Tous et al., 2008; 2009).
The following points should be kept in mind when creating yield expectations:
- Yield tables in feasibility reports are hypothetical projections; they should be read together with planting frequency and maintenance assumptions.
- Carob may fluctuate in yield from year to year; the evaluation should be made with the average of several years.
- The actual yields of gardens of similar ages and conditions in the region are the most reliable reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many saplings are planted per decare for the carob garden? This depends on the planting spacing. Approximately 28 trees fall per decare in a 6 x 6 m interval; In the Alanya geographical indication certificate, approximately 40 saplings are specified per acre with an interval of 5 x 5 m.
How many male trees should there be in the garden? Sources recommend 1 pollinator tree for every 8 female trees, or about 12%, for new gardens.
Does the carob garden require watering? It is drought tolerant; however, in the first years and where rainfall is insufficient, complementary irrigation supports yields.
When to get income from the carob orchard? It is stated in the sources that commercial production usually starts from the 6th-7th year.
From Garden to Market with Carob Türkiye
When well planned, the carob orchard is an investment that both evaluates marginal lands and provides raw materials for many years. Thinking about the targeted product and market during the planning phase also facilitates variety and garden layout decisions. At Carob Türkiye, we supply carob fruit, crumbs, flour/powder, seeds, and extracts.
To get information about carob processed products What is Carob Kibble (Granule)? and What is Carob Seed? You can read our articles, Our Products You can review the page. For your wholesale and export requests Contact Now You can contact us on our page.
Domestic resources
General Directorate of Forestry, "Carob Garden Facility Project: Feasibility Report and Investor Guide", Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2020. I'll take it to Konya.
gov. en/ assets/ upload/ files/ Carob- … Erbaş, S., "Carob Agriculture and Industry Feasibility Report", Western Mediterranean Development Agency, Publication No: 153, 2024. DEVELOPMENT LIBRARY.
gov. en/ assets/ upload/ files/ Keciboy... Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, "Alanya Carob / Alanya Carob" Geographical Indication Registration Certificate, Registration No: 1705, 2025. ci.
turkpatent. gov. en/ Files/ GeographicalSigns/ 7bbe4a8b- 399… Foreign sources
Martins-Loução, M. A., Correia, P. J., Romano, A., "Carob: A Mediterranean Resource for the Future", Plants, 13(9), 1188, 2024. doi.
org/ 10. 3390/ plants13091188 Tous, J., Ferguson, L., "Mediterranean Fruits", Progress in New Crops (ed. J. Janick), pp. 416–430, 1996. Growables.
org/ information/ TropicalFruit/ CarobProgNewCrop. htm Tous, J., Romero, A., Hermoso, J. F., Ninot, A., Plana, J., "Fruiting and Kernel Production Characteristics of Ten Mediterranean Carob Cultivars Grown in Northeastern Spain", Journal of the American Pomological Society, 62(4), 144–150, 2008. doi.
org/ 10. 71318/ apom. 2008. 62. 4. 144 Tous, J., Romero, A., Hermoso, J. F., Ninot, A., Plana, J., Batlle, I., "Agronomic and Commercial Performance of Four Spanish Carob Cultivars", HortTechnology, 19(2), 465–470, 2009. agris.
FAO. org/ search/ es/ records/ 65dfd0fa4c5aef494fe5a2cf Barceló, M., Pou, J., Llompart, M., Luna, J. M., Garau, C., "El garrover (Ceratonia siliqua L.): un cultiu alternatiu adaptat a condicions marginals", VIII Jornades de Medi Ambient de les Illes Balears, Societat d'Història Natural de Balears, pp. 522–525, 2023. portalinvestigacio.
UIB. es/ documentos/ 686c0c4126b2021a4349... Feedipedia – Animal Feed Resources Information System, "Carob (Ceratonia siliqua)". feedipedia.
Scientific Resourcesorg/ node/ 320
