Olive Tree Care Instructions Uk
Harvest the olives for pressing into olive oil or for curing in jars.
Olive tree care instructions uk. The cycle of work that goes on in the groves is the same each year naturally. Olives naturally shed their older leaves in spring april in the uk as new growth begins. To minimize the damage to your olive tree prune it only once a year in the late spring or early summer. The olive trees rest they recharge they produce flowers then fruit.
Olive trees require a well drained soil and a sunny position. Allow it to dry out between waterings and test the soil with your finger to get a sense for when water is needed he says. Once you begin to see a quantity of new growth feed the olive tree with nitrogen rich compost conventional fertilizer or concentrated organic. In other words the more light they have the longer your olive tree will remain healthy and in its best condition.
Container cultivation olives are not entirely hardy in the uk and will be damaged by temperatures below 10 c 14 f with young plants suffering after lighter frosts. Yes olive trees are drought resistant in the ground but anything in a pot needs watering otherwise your potted olive tree will dry out resulting in leaf drop. The ideal time is to prune it before it s about to begin its new growth for the year. Olive tree care once your new olive tree is planted it is a good idea to provide drip irrigation as the tree will need water every day especially during the summer months throughout its first year.
Olive trees generally need as much sunlight as possible. Water regularly but sparingly during growing season. Prune and shape the olive trees. Olive trees are accustomed to hot dry climates where water isn t available for months so salmeri cautions that you never want to overwater your olive tree.
Do not however confuse the olive for a desert plant. It needs regular watering to thrive. Do not overwater olives are fairly drought tolerant plants. If your location starts getting warmer around late spring then that s the best time for you to prune your olive tree.
Nourish the ground around the trees and cut the grass. Protect from excess water during the winter period by covering the pot or plant. So water well particularly through the summer months. Watering olive trees are known for being extremely drought tolerant and thriving in poor and stony soils but it s important to avoid allowing the soil to parch completely.
Although a little shade can be tolerated with a few precautions. There is normally no need to water olive trees during the winter only make sure the root ball does not dry out. Fully dry soil means it s safe to grab the watering can.