Olive tree: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
When and how should you plant an olive tree?
Plant your olive tree in a sunny spot sheltered from cold winds, where water does not remain trapped in the soil. In a cool region, favour spring after severe frosts: the tree can then establish during the warmer season. Elsewhere, adapt the timing to your climate, avoiding frozen or saturated ground. If your soil stays wet in winter or the cold is too severe, choose a container that you can move into shelter.
Before planting, moisten the rootball and remove the pot without allowing the roots to dry. In the ground, dig a hole wider than the rootball and shallow enough to keep the first roots where they emerge from the trunk level with the soil surface. Do not bury the base of the trunk. Backfill with the excavated soil, firm gently around the rootball and water to settle the soil around the roots. Add a stake only if the tree needs support to remain stable.
For container planting, choose a stable pot with drainage holes, enough room for the roots and a free-draining compost suitable for container-grown trees. Keep the same planting depth and let excess water drain away. Plan a sunny position and a winter shelter from the start. Then check moisture while the tree establishes: an adult olive’s drought tolerance does not remove the need to care for a newly planted tree.
When and how does an olive tree flower?
When and how should you prune an olive tree?
When and how should you harvest olives?
