11
Jan
Olive Tree Planting Conditions. The areas where olive trees are cultivated for commercial use must have an average annual temperature of 60-68 F 15-20 C. They prefer light free draining soil in an open sunny or semi-shaded site and. The Olive tree thrives in areas with Mediterranean climate where mild winters are followed by sunny springs and hot summers. Autumn or spring when the chances of extreme hot or cold weather are less likely.
The olive requires sufficient winter chilling to enter rest and so initiate flower development otherwise the tree remains vegetative. Olive trees can be grown for their fruit but many gardeners are well acquainted with their evergreen silver grey-green foliage and tidy habit. You do however have to be careful with extreme cold. It needs regular watering to thrive. Avoid sites where water stands during rainy periods or where ground water seeps into a hole two feet deep. Insufficient water will cause your tree to suffer and even die if left too dry for too long.
Plant olive trees in full sun where the plant will receive at least six hours of direct sunlight.
Olives love summers thrive well in hot climates and grow optimally in zones 9-10. They are tolerant of winds coastal salt spray medium frosts and dry conditions. Olives can survive our cold winters and freezing conditions as long as they are not sitting in wet soil like clay. Autumn or spring when the chances of extreme hot or cold weather are less likely. Olive trees can be grown for their fruit but many gardeners are well acquainted with their evergreen silver grey-green foliage and tidy habit. However a chilly wind can be very damaging below a temperature of -5C and could penetrate the bark.