How Often to Water an Olive Tree: Essential Guidelines and Tips

If you’ve ever been tempted by those adorable potted olive trees adorning the shelves of your local nursery, this guide is for you. With a little know-how, you can successfully cultivate your own Mediterranean oasis, even if you live far from the sun-soaked hills of Provence.

Re-potting: Giving Your Tree Room to Thrive

The first step in caring for your new olive tree, affectionately named ‘Olivier,’ is to provide it with a more suitable home. The flimsy plastic pots they are usually sold in offer no water retention, making it necessary to water your tree more frequently and leaving it vulnerable to strong gusts of wind. Imagine trying to drink out of a tiny cup with an even tinier straw – not an ideal situation.

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Olive trees adapt their growth to the size of their pot, so it’s essential to plan accordingly. If you have the space, planting your tree directly in the ground will result in a full-grown beauty in approximately a decade, depending on weather conditions.

Watering: Quenching Your Tree’s Thirst

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If re-potting isn’t an option, don’t worry – you can still provide your olive tree with the hydration it needs. Watering every two days should suffice, keeping in mind the intensity of the Provencal sun.

After re-potting your tree in sandy, well-draining soil (always use a pot with a drainage hole and add stones at the bottom to facilitate proper drainage), be sure to water it daily for the first week to help establish its roots. Afterward, watering your little tree once or twice a week should suffice. In winter, you can stretch the intervals to once every two weeks.

For those living in colder climates, fear not! Olive trees can withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius. The real concern lies in sitting in wet soil. So, feel free to leave your tree outside as long as it remains sheltered from the rain. Alternatively, bring it indoors, but never forget that olive trees thrive in full sun.

Fertilization: Nourishing Your Tree’s Growth

During the growing season, from March to October, it’s crucial to fertilize your olive tree in moderation. Be cautious with compost and mulch, as they tend to retain too much moisture for these trees’ liking. A regular store-bought nitrogen-based fertilizer will work just fine. However, if you’re feeling fancy, specialized olive tree fertilizer is available, though not essential.

Pruning: Shaping Your Tree’s Aesthetic

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Unlike some other trees, olive trees don’t require pruning to bear fruit. However, if you wish to maintain a specific shape, feel free to prune during the autumn. If you’re uncertain about your pruning skills, you can always reach out to your local tree pruning service for assistance. Personally, I prefer the wild look.

Olive Tree Pests: Fending off Unwanted Visitors

Olive trees are renowned for their resilience, standing strong against both drought and pests. Here in Provence, these trees rarely come under attack. However, in less arid climates, it’s advisable to check the undersides of leaves regularly for any sign of scale outbreaks. If necessary, a spray of lemony soapy water or an organic Savon de Marseille spray made for plants should help keep pests at bay.

Et voilà! By following these care tips, loosely or meticulously, you’ll soon have a flourishing olive tree in your garden, brimming with the potential to produce olives. Do keep in mind that olives straight from the tree are not meant for immediate consumption; they require soaking in brine. But hey, don’t just take my word for it – go ahead and try one if you dare!

Although a young tree may not yield enough olives for brining, if you’re feeling adventurous, check out my recipe for brining your own olives. And for those who appreciate the beauty of olive trees beyond their fruit, I invite you to admire some stunning examples of my painted works.

Source: https://magnetmix.com
Category: Discovery