Damon Mcknight
Olive trees are one of the world's oldest cultivated trees, and they have been grown in Australia since the early 1800s. They are native to the Mediterranean and thrive in similar climates, with long, hot, dry summers and cool winters. Olive trees can be grown in the ground or in large pots, and they can add a lovely aesthetic to any garden with their beautiful silver foliage. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to grow olive trees in Australia, covering topics such as climate, soil, fertilisation, pruning, and harvesting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | Naturally up to 15 metres, but usually less than half of this. Young trees can be grown in large pots and will happily thrive indoors. |
| Foliage | 50mm to 100mm long by 20mm to 30mm wide with a stretched oval shape, tapering equally at both ends with a distinct point at the tip. Leaves can vary from dark green to silvery grey, depending on the variety. |
| Soil | Well-drained, fertile soil is best for olive trees. They can survive in poor, low-nutrient soils, but will produce better fruit in fertile soil. Soil should be enriched with fertilisers and have a balanced NPK ratio. |
| Watering | Olive trees require sufficient soil moisture during their flowering season in winter and spring. Mulching is best to ensure reduced water loss. |
| Sunlight | Olive trees require full sun and at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. |
| Temperature | Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean and thrive in long, hot, dry summers and cool winters. They are tolerant of winds, coastal salt spray, medium frosts, and dry conditions. |
| Pruning | Pruning is essential to encourage growth and fruit production. Prune out suckers, low branches, and dead or damaged limbs during winter. Remove the tips of stems that have grown too long. |
| Harvesting | Olives can be harvested when they turn from dark green to light green, or when they are black but still firm. Harvesting generally takes place from mid-autumn to early winter. |
| Pollination | Olive flowers are mainly wind-pollinated and partially self-fertile. Planting another variety nearby can improve fruit set through cross-pollination. |
| Pests | Keep an eye out for olive lace bugs, native to Australia, which can defoliate and kill the tree. |
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What You'll Learn
Olive tree varieties
Olive trees are native to Asia Minor and spread from Iran, Syria, and Palestine to the rest of the Mediterranean basin around 6,000 years ago. They are one of the world's oldest cultivated trees and are known for their drought-resistant, versatile, and easy-to-grow nature. In Australia, olive farming dates back to the early 1800s, likely beginning in New South Wales. Today, there are five common types of olive trees in the country, each with its own unique characteristics and requirements.
When choosing an olive tree variety, it is important to consider the climate and growing conditions in your region. Olive trees typically thrive in cool winters with hot, dry summers and low humidity. They are tolerant of winds, coastal salt spray, moderate frosts, and dry conditions. However, they require some cooling time to be productive, and high humidity can make them prone to pests and diseases.
Some popular olive tree varieties in Australia include:
- Kalamata: This variety produces juicy, sweet olives that are harvested when they turn black. Kalamata olives are known for their unique torpedo shape and are excellent for cooking or eating fresh. The trees grow to a height of around eight meters and are self-fertile, but cross-pollination with Frantoio can improve fruiting.
- Manzanillo: A fruiting olive tree that is drought-hardy and tolerant of frost, heat, and wind. It has a broad, spreading form and can grow quite large, making it a beautiful feature tree for any garden.
- Arbequina: A reliable choice for warm climates, Arbequina is self-pollinating and produces its first fruit cache relatively quickly. This variety is commonly selected for cold climates, where temperatures can reach lows of -8°C to -10°C.
- Picual: Another variety commonly selected for cold climates, Picual can withstand temperatures as low as -8°C to -10°C for short periods.
- Olea Europea Bambalina: An excellent choice for low hedges, this dwarf olive tree has a compact growth habit and reaches a height of only 2-3 meters. It is an evergreen variety with small, narrow, grey-green leaves and produces small, black olives ideal for pickling.
- Olea Europea Tolleys Upright: With its upright growth habit and dense foliage, this variety is perfect for creating tall, narrow hedges and privacy screens. It grows to a height of up to 5 meters and has long, narrow, deep green leaves.
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Climate and location
Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean, so they thrive in a climate with long, hot, dry summers and cool winters. They are tolerant of winds, coastal salt spray, medium frosts, and dry conditions. They are also drought-hardy, but they do need some cooling time to be more productive. Olive trees are probably most famous for the plump, delicious fruit they produce, but they are also valued for their evergreen silver-grey-green foliage. They can reach more than six metres in height, but young trees will happily thrive in a pot as an indoor plant.
In Australia, olive farming dates back to the early 1800s, most probably beginning in New South Wales. They were also planted in Victoria and South Australia, with South Australia leading the local olive industry by importing trees from Sicily, France, and Rio de Janeiro in the 1830s. Today, there are five common types of olive trees in Australia, and their fruit can be pickled or pressed into oil.
When growing olive trees in Australia, it is important to choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. While olive trees can survive on poor, low-nutrient soils, they will produce better fruit if planted in fertile soil. If the soil is acidic, you can sweeten it with Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid. To improve pollination, it is recommended to plant another olive tree nearby, as cross-pollination typically improves fruit set.
Olive trees can be planted in the garden as a standard, in large pots, or trained as a topiary, hedge, or espalier feature. If growing in pots, choose a pot at least 600mm wide and use a top-quality potting mix. Ensure the plant receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and water it lightly but regularly. For ongoing care, top up the pot with fresh soil every couple of years.
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Soil and fertiliser
Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean, so they thrive in a climate with long, hot, dry summers and cool winters. They are tolerant of winds, coastal salt spray, medium frosts, and dry conditions. They can even be grown in large pots, but they require plenty of sunshine.
When it comes to soil and fertiliser, olive trees are quite adaptable. They can survive in poor, low-nutrient soils, as long as the soil is well-drained. However, they will produce better fruit if planted in well-drained, fertile soil. If you're planting in the ground, choose a sunny spot and dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. Enrich the soil with a balanced fertiliser, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser, and mix it into the soil before planting. If the soil is acidic, you can sweeten it with Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid.
For potted olive trees, use a top-quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter or Searles Premium Potting Mix. Make sure the pot is at least 600mm wide and fill it with the potting mix. Olive trees don't like "wet feet" (overly wet soil), but they require sufficient soil moisture during their flowering season in winter and spring to produce better flower and fruit set.
To encourage healthy and productive growth, feed your olive trees with a fertiliser in early spring and late summer. A well-balanced fertiliser, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Advanced For Fruit & Citrus or Osmocote Plus Organics Fruit & Citrus, is ideal. You can also use organic fertilisers like 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser, which is rich in organic animal manures, blood, bone, and trace elements. Apply the fertiliser around the base of the plant and water it in well.
In spring, olive trees will benefit from an extra NPK feed with Searles Fruit & Citrus Plant Food to boost flowering and fruit production. If you're growing in pots, top up the pot with fresh soil every couple of years to provide ongoing care for your olive tree.
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Pruning and maintenance
Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean and are tough, drought-hardy, and versatile. They can survive in poor, low-nutrient soils, but they require well-drained soil and sufficient sunlight. They are tolerant of winds, coastal salt spray, medium frosts, and dry conditions.
Pruning is essential for olive trees, especially if you want them to fruit regularly. Pruning helps to encourage the growth of new branches, which is where olives are produced. Prune vigorously growing suckers from the lower trunk and remove the tips of young shoots to encourage bushiness and contain size.
In the first couple of years, prune to encourage an open vase-shape, which will improve air and light flow. Prune in winter to remove dead or low-hanging branches and any dead or damaged limbs. Remove branches that cross over each other. Pruning the vertical branches at their base is preferable to pruning flat across the top of the canopy, as this will prevent unwanted regrowth at the top of the tree.
For olive trees in pots, top up the pot with fresh soil every couple of years and water the tree lightly but regularly. Olive trees don't like "wet feet" (standing in water), but they require sufficient soil moisture during their flowering season in winter and spring to produce better flower and fruit set. Mulching is a good practice to ensure reduced water loss and weed suppression.
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Harvesting and curing
Olives can be harvested by hand or, for a more efficient method, spread a sheet or tarpaulin beneath the tree and shake it vigorously to free the fruit. Harvesting generally takes place from mid-autumn to early winter.
Olives can be picked when they turn from dark green to light green, or you can wait until they turn black. They should still be firm at this stage for the best flavour.
Olives need to be cured or pickled before eating. While there are many ways to cure olives, one of the simplest methods is to soak them in water for a few weeks, changing the water regularly. This process helps to remove the bitterness of the fruit, making them more palatable. After curing, you can further enhance the flavour by marinating the olives in a mixture of olive oil, herbs, and spices.
In terms of tree maintenance, pruning is essential to encourage fruit production. Pruning should be done early and often, targeting vigorous suckers and low branches. Removing the tips of young shoots will also help to encourage bushiness and contain the tree's size.
Olives are typically ready for harvest four to five years after planting, and the trees will continue to produce fruit for many years with proper care.
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Frequently asked questions
Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean, so they thrive in long, hot, and dry summers and cool winters. They are drought-hardy, wind-tolerant, and can withstand coastal salt spray, medium frosts, and dry conditions. They grow best in full sun with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and well-drained soil.
Olive trees can survive in poor, low-nutrient soils as long as they are well-drained. However, they will produce better fruit in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with manures and a balanced NPK ratio.
Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and to the same depth. Remove the shrub from its container, gently tease the roots, and cut away any circled or tangled roots. Position the tree in the hole, backfill, and gently firm down. Form a raised ring around the plant to create a well for water.
Feed your olive tree with a well-balanced fertiliser in early spring and late summer. Prune the tree regularly to encourage an open vase shape, improve air and light flow, and promote fruit growth. Keep an eye out for olive lace bugs, which can defoliate the tree, and spray the leaves with Eco-oil or pyrethrum if needed.
Olive trees can take up to 4-5 years to produce fruit. Harvest olives when they turn from dark green to light green, or wait for them to turn black but are still firm. You can pick the olives by hand or spread a sheet under the tree and shake it vigorously. Process and cure the olives as desired.
