How to Raise Olive Trees

The olive tree belongs to the Olea genus and the Oleaceae family. While dozens of varieties are cultivated around the world, the olive was first grown in ancient Syria, later Spain before the plant finally arrived in the New World. The olive tree is a slow-growing specimen that thrives in a warm climate. Many people grow olives for their prized fruit, but they make attractive ornamental plants, too. Young olive trees do not survive cold temperatures and many growers place the trees in pots so they can bring them indoors during winter.

Wooden slats
Terra cotta pots
Sand
Pebbles
Potting soil
Nitrogen
Water
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Position a terra cotta pot on a runners or wooden slats to allow good drainage during rainy weather. Leaving the pot flush on the ground may rot the roots. Put the pot in a sunny spot where the tree will receive at least six hours of sunlight a day.
- 2
  Pour a mixture of sand and pebbles into the bottom of a terra cotta pot to a depth of 2 to 3 inches, according to the size of your pot.
- 3
  Fill the pot with one-third full of potting soil. Test soils before adding them to the pot to verify that the pH level is between 5.5 and 8.5.
- 4
  Add the olive tree to the pot and fill the pot with soil to just below the rim, about 2 inches.
- 5
  Add 1/4 to 1 pound of nitrogen to the pot in December. Nitrogen will assist the spring growth of flowers and help the provide nutrients to the tree. Do this yearly to promote growth.
- 6
  Pull weeds from the pot as they appear.
- 7
  Water the tree during dry seasons when no natural precipitation has fallen. Do not over water olive trees.
- 8
  Prune the olive tree branches in spring as needed. Remove sucker branches using sharp pruning shears.

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