{"product_id":"olive-tree-8","title":"Olive Tree 8\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eDating back to ancient Greece, olive trees are one of the oldest cultivated trees in the world, prized not only for their flavourful fruit but also for their many ornamental attributes. With their silvery foliage, gnarled trunks, and clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring, these distinctive trees are beautiful garden focal points in all seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough they grow best in a sunny Mediterranean climate, like that found along the California coast, it’s possible to grow olive trees almost anywhere if you protect them during harsh winters. You can even grow olive trees in containers and bring them indoors before freezing temperatures arrive. Dwarf varieties that grow no taller than 6 feet are ideal for that purpose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"bold\"\u003eWatering:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOlive trees are extremely drought tolerant once established, but for good flowering and fruit development, you should water them regularly throughout the growing season, especially if you live in a hot, dry climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring and summer:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWater newly planted trees deeply two or three times a week, preferably using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system. Established trees (5-7 years old) can be watered much less frequently, every few weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall and winter:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eCut back on watering. Depending on rainfall, no supplemental watering may be needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"bold\"\u003eSoil:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny well-drained soil is acceptable. Do not plant in heavy clay soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"bold\"\u003eAmendments \u0026amp; Fertilizer:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOlive trees are not heavy feeders, and overly fertile soils can actually be a detriment to fruit production. However, trees grown in poor, mineral-deficient soils may benefit from regular feedings with a well-balanced fertilizer with a nitrogen content of at least 10 percent. To conserve soil moisture and inhibit weed growth, apply a layer of organic mulch around the tree, placing it a few inches away from the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"bold\"\u003ePruning:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOlive trees respond well to pruning, but the extent of pruning and the methods you use often depend on whether your primary goal is to boost fruit production or improve aesthetics. To keep your tree healthy, also remove dead or diseased branches and prune away any suckers that develop at the base of the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep in mind that olive trees produce fruit on the previous year’s branches, so if fruit is desired, only prune lightly to open up the canopy and increase light penetration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"bold\"\u003eHarvesting olives:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can harvest olives while they are still green or after they fully ripen in late fall, depending on how you plan to use them. Most freshly picked olives (even those that are fully ripe) are very bitter and will need to be cured before eating, either by brining or by sun drying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike apple trees, olive trees are alternate bearing, so don’t be surprised if your tree produces a bumper crop of olives one year and a poor crop the next. Young olive trees may not begin bearing optimal fruiting until 4-5 years, and will increase from there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"bold\"\u003eDiseases and pests:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch out for verticillium wilt, olive fruit flies, olive knot, and black scale.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Foliera","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48885426815150,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0604\/5456\/8110\/files\/ScreenShot2026-08-05at4.06.06PM.png?v=1785960419","url":"https:\/\/eckhardtsfloraldesign.com\/products\/olive-tree-8","provider":"Eckhardts Floral Design \/ Country Creations","version":"1.0","type":"link"}