Growing olives is a satisfying and rewarding experience, not to enjoy their fruit but to use their silver grey-green foliage to complement many different garden styles. Olive trees are wonderfully ornamental and they produce delicious fruit, too. Perhaps the only downside to olives is that before you can eat them you need to pickle them in brine. However, once you get the hang of this you will have a near unlimited supply of delicious olives. Perth’s Mediterranean climate is perfect for growing this wonderful fruit.
If you have ever wondered how to grow olive trees in Perth then look no further. Olive trees are very easy to grow, but there are still a few tricks to successfully growing olive trees in Perth, Western Australia. Get these right and you will be laughing.
When to plant olive trees in Perth:
The best time to plant olive trees is in spring, after the risk of frost has passed, but before the end of June to give the tree plenty of time to establish before the following winter.
How much water do olive trees need:
How often to water olive trees will depend on their age. A new establishing olive tree should be watered once weekly for the first year or anytime the top 5 cm of soil becomes dry. After olive trees are established, deep watering once monthly is sufficient. This can be increase in very warm summer months.
Types of olive trees in Australia:
There is a range of olive trees in Australia. Check out these readily available varieties in Western Australia.
- Kalamata olive tree: A famous sweet black olive from Greece. Tree is slow-growing, taller and more slender than the Manzanillo, drought tolerant and happy in a big pot.
- Mazanillo olive tree: Manzanillo Olive is a versatile Spanish olive that can be used for black or green table Olives. Their hardiness and rugged good looks have made Olive trees a favourite right across the globe. Add to that their delicious fruit and you have a phenomenal medium sized tree. The evergreen, silvery foliage breaks up a landscape of green and responds well to pruning. Also grows well in pots.
- Picual olive tree: A Spanish olive variety that grows well in the backyard. The Olive Picual produces medium sized, it fruits early in the season.
- Arbequina olive tree: Arbequina is a famous Spanish olive variety. This tree is amazing- it starts fruiting at a very young age usually when it is around 30cm tall. It produces a small sized fruit that has a high oil content. It does, however, make a quality table fruit that is usually pickled green. The Spanish usually refer to the fruit as a snack olive because of its small size. It is a very hardy tree that is a proven performer in both warmer and colder climates.
How to grow olive trees at home:
Growing olive trees at home is easy, fun and rewarding! Below are the steps on how to how to grow olive trees in Australia;
- Select a sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with a Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliser.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the pot, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
- Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well.
- Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips. sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- Feed your tree in early spring and late summer with a Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliser. When flowering and fruiting, feed weekly with a Fruit Liquid Plant Food to help promote ample fruit production.
- Harvest olives when they turn from dark green to light green or wait for them to turn black.
- Process and cure as desired, but do this as soon as possible.
How to grow olive trees in pots:
Growing olive trees in pots is a great idea. Below are the steps on how to how to grow olive trees in pots;
- Choose a pot at least 60 cm wide. Position in full sun and fill with quality potting mix.
- Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
- Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Water in well.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- Feed your tree in early spring and late summer with a Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliser. When flowering and fruiting, feed weekly with Yates Thrive Citrus & Fruit Liquid Plant Food to help promote fruit production.
- Harvest olives when they turn from dark green to light green or wait for them to turn black.
- Process and cure as desired, but do this as soon as possible.
How to propagate olive trees:
If you have be wondering how to grow olive trees from cuttings, then follow these straightforward steps;
- Growing olive trees from cuttings is done by selecting a healthy twig that is about the size of a pencil.
- Strip the leaves away from the lower 2/3 of the twig, then dip it in a rooting hormone mix.
- Finally, place the twig in dampened soil, and keep it watered. It will take around three weeks for an olive branch to root and begin to develop.
How to fertilise olive trees:
Olive trees are very resilient and can survive on poor, low-nutrient soils, providing they are well-drained. However, to get the best quality fruit, plant in well-drained, fertile soil. If you’re growing in pots, use a quality potting mix.
Fertilise olive trees in early spring and late summer with a well-balanced fertiliser.
If you are wondering what is the best fertiliser for olive trees I recommend Yates Dynamic Lifter Advanced For Fruit & Citrus.
When do olive trees bloom:
Olives flower in early spring. They take three to five years of growth until they produce their first harvest and most only become fully productive after eight.
When to harvest olive trees:
Harvesting can start from April – May, to September, depending on the variety of olive.
When to prune olive trees:
You should olive trees prune on a yearly basis. The best time to prune olive trees is directly after harvest. Cut the branches that cross in the centre of the tree to open up the canopy to allow the light and the air through. This assists fruit ripening. Another important reason to prune olive trees is to rejuvenate the tree to produce fruit for the following year.
How long can olive trees live:
With a possible lifespan of up to 2,000 years, it is amazing to think about. It is thought that the average lifespan of an olive tree is approximately 500 years old.
Companion plants for olive trees:
Olive trees will do well under-planted with some Mediterranean shrubs and ground covers. Some good pairings include French lavender, thyme, bunch grasses, oregano, and bulbs.
Olive tree care and common problems:
Keeping olive trees well-fed and watered is the best defence against pests and diseases, since vigorous trees are better able to withstand attack and less likely to suffer long-term damage. Check out this helpful list of common problems for olive trees in Australia.
Check out our other how to grow in Perth guides:
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