Olive trees planting and growing

Planting and growing

The olive tree is renowned for its frugality and resistance to drought, but does not resist well to cold and dampness. An olive tree is relatively easy to maintain in an appropriate environment.

To meet its requirements, some simple advice below :

1.Frugality
An olive tree will survive in a poor soil, but will not grow well and will not produce many olives. Appropriate soil & feeding will reinforce hardiness.

When planting in our a garden or in open country :

dig a hole about 30 % larger than needed.
break up the soil, add different sized pebbles/stones, fertilizer & cover with compost
place the tree in the centre of the hole, add manure and soil so that the roots are either level with the soil or slightly over.
Make a sort of dish around the tree and water well.
Once a year, fertilize as you would a fruit tree and add magnesium, boron and zinc.

When planting in earthenware pots (well pierced and drained):

Place the olive tree in a mix of compost, sand, manure and pebbles.
Fertilize once a year.

2. Dampness/Dryness
An olive tree will put up with dryness, but will suffer from it in the long term.
In summer, spray regularly.
From October to March, watering is not necessary in your garden or in open country but may be a good idea for a potted trees.
Damp can also be harmful, so avoid clayey rich soil when planting and use pebbles for draining purposes.

3.Cold conditions
An olive tree can resist cold conditions up to a certain extent (up to about -10° C/ -15° C) and can live at an altitude of 600 metres, but this will depend on whether it is in a draughty or sheltered position and if it is planted against a wall, north or south, etc…

When faced with poor atmospheric conditions, an olive tree will require winter protection such as protective netting on leaves, protection from wind & bed of straw on soil to protect its roots.

Potted trees (especially in earthenware) should also be protected against frost or moved to warmer shelter during winter period.