Olive Tree Planting Mix
Often puddles form on clay or silt soils and they easily become compacted.
Olive tree planting mix. It is not necessary or even advisable to dig a hole several times larger than the root ball. Once the previous soil has been removed gently trim off any dead or dying roots. A pot will sustain growth up to three times wider than the pot itself. Planting in a container after the threat of frost has passed prepare your container and soil mix.
Choose a potting mix medium rather than top soil to avoid any contaminants and avoid compacting around the roots within the container in the future. Olive trees like soil that drains easily like a cactus mix. If you are adding any organic material not necessary or recommended mix it thoroughly with the native soil for back fill. Any commercial well draining potting soil will be fine for an olive tree.
Choose a sun bathed area sheltered from stronger winds. Placing a inch or two of styrofoam gravel or any other kind of filler on the bottom of the pot will keep the soil well drained. Most olive trees are supplied pot grown so they can be planted at any time of the year unless the soil is frozen. Remove the olive tree from the container you purchased it in and gently shake off the soil from the roots.
If you have heavy soil then add plenty of grit to aid drainage. Loam soils are loose and look rich. If growing in a container or raised bed prepare a soil based mix of compost and grit with added organic matter and nutrients. Prepare the hole before removing the tree from its pot.
If you re growing in pots use a top quality potting mix. Use olive tree soil mix or planting soil mix. They feel slick and sticky when wet. Potted trees will need to be watered more often than trees planted in the ground.
Loam soil is a mix of sand silt or clay and organic matter. Allow the soil to dry somewhat before watering then water until the soil is soaked. The procedure for planting your olive tree in the ground is essentially the same as for re potting it. Clay and silt hold moisture well but resist water infiltration especially when they are dry.
Fertiliser feed in early spring and late summer with a well balanced fertiliser such as yates dynamic lifter advanced for fruit citrus or osmocote plus organics fruit citrus which feeds the plant and enriches the soil too.