Olive trees (Olea europaea) are an iconic symbol of Mediterranean landscapes, known for their hardy nature and delicious fruit. Whether you dream of making olive oil or pickling olives, these trees are an excellent choice for aesthetic appeal and practical use. They are relatively easy to care for and can be grown successfully in New Zealand's climate, adding beauty to your garden or serving as a statement tree in a pot.

Olive Tree Growing Tips

Positioning and Soil

Olive trees thrive in a warm, sunny position with well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant but do not like soggy conditions. During summer and autumn, they need regular watering, particularly when young, to promote healthy growth. However, once established, they have fairly low maintenance in terms of water needs.

• Sunlight: Full sun exposure is key to ensuring healthy fruit production.
• Soil: They prefer well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Avoid overly wet or clay-heavy soils.

Pruning Olive Trees

Pruning is essential to shape the tree and encourage fruit production. While pruning may not be necessary if your tree is more ornamental, it is crucial for those hoping to harvest olives.

When to Prune

• After Harvest: Olive trees should be pruned after the harvest in autumn or winter (depending on your location in New Zealand).
• Light Pruning: A light prune may also be done after flowering, around November/December.

Pruning Tips

• Vase or Conical Shape: Prune to maintain a ‘vase’ or ‘conical’ shape. This allows for better airflow and sunlight penetration, promoting healthy fruit growth.
• Clear the Trunk: Remove branches about 60 cm from the ground.
• Shorten Branches: Keep branches short to prevent breakage under the weight of the fruit.
• Encourage Growth: Tip the branches to encourage new growth, which results in more branches and a larger crop of olives.

Feeding Olive Trees

A healthy diet promotes optimal growth. Olive trees benefit from fertilisation during the growing season:

• Citrus Tree Fertiliser: Apply in autumn and spring to nourish the tree.
• Slow-release Fertiliser: If growing in pots, use a slow-release fertiliser like Oderings Total Replenish.

Regular feeding helps keep the tree healthy and supports fruit production.

Varieties of Olive Trees

While some olive tree varieties are self-fertile, planting two or more trees nearby will result in larger crops. Olive trees are wind-pollinated, so having a companion tree nearby will help with pollination.

Here are a few top varieties to consider:

Koroneiki

• Self-Fertile: Produces large crops of small fruit.
• Ideal for Coastal Areas: Thrives in warmer and coastal climates but also does well in colder regions.
• Uses: Known for producing high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

Barnea

• Semi Self-Fertile: This variety produces good yields of olives for oil and pickling.
• Rapid Growth: Grows quickly and is commonly used commercially.
• Climate: Not ideal for areas with long cold winters.

Verdale

• Self-Fertile: This variety is a reliable fruit producer.
• Suitable for Pickling: Fruits can be harvested when green or black for pickling.
• Hardy: Adaptable to colder climates and yields high oil content.

Conclusion

Olive trees are a fantastic addition to any garden or landscape. You can enjoy their beauty and bounty for years with the right care—particularly in terms of position, soil, pruning, and feeding. Whether you're hoping to make your own olive oil or enjoy the fruit in various culinary dishes, growing olives can be rewarding and practical gardening.