Whether it’s the rolling hills of Italy, the sun-drenched coasts of Spain, or the rugged beauty of Greece, the Mediterranean has a vibe that’s hard to resist. It’s no wonder so many of us want to bring a piece of that vacation feeling home to our own backyards. If you’re looking to capture that aesthetic, there’s really no plant that does it better than the olive tree.
A Piece of Ancient History
Olive trees aren’t just beautiful; they’re living history. Archaeological finds suggest that the Phoenicians were planting these trees as far back as three thousand years ago! From its roots in the eastern Mediterranean, the olive tree slowly made its way west throughout antiquity, becoming a staple of the landscape we know and love today.
Olive Trees Love the Sun
If you’re planning to add an olive tree to your garden, the most important thing is finding the perfect sunny spot. These trees are sun-worshippers! Without plenty of direct light, you won’t have much luck getting the tree to produce fruit for a homegrown olive harvest. You’ll also want to pick a spot that’s sheltered from the wind, as olive trees aren’t big fans of chilly drafts.
Container Gardening is Key
For most of us, planting an olive tree in a pot on the patio or balcony is the way to go. Why? Because olive trees generally aren’t cold-hardy and won’t survive a long, hard freeze. Unless you live in a region with a very mild climate (think wine country), keeping them in containers allows you to move them to safety when winter hits.
Getting the Watering Right
When you’re growing olive trees in pots, managing moisture is the name of the game. In the wild, these trees grow massive root systems that spread out for yards, allowing them to find water in even the driest soil. In a pot, they have much less “reach,” so you have to be a bit more attentive. Here are my golden rules for watering:
- Give your olive tree a good soak once a week.
- During those scorching, dry summer stretches, bump it up to twice a week.
- Whatever you do, avoid standing water! Olive trees hate “wet feet,” and soggy soil will lead to root rot faster than you can say “tapas.”
