Olive Trees Best Zone to Grow Them Thrive

What best zone do Olive trees thrive in? You may come to this page to find out that important information. If you want to know information about the best zone Olive trees thrive in, you have to read this text until the end.

What Best zone do Olive trees thrive in?

According to the research, Olive trees thrive in USDA zones 8 – 10. It makes growing olive trees in zone 9 is almost a perfect match. Zone 9 condition almost same with the Mediterranean where the olives trees have been cultivated for years. If you interested in olives for zone 9, please read this text to find out about growing and caring for olive trees in zone 9.

About Olive trees for Zone 9

Olive trees like hot. If you live in a cooler climate, you are always able to grow an Olive is container and bring it inside in the winter. However, make sure to select a dwarf, self-fertile variety. If you don’t, the space may become a problem since some olive trees are able to grow to 6 – 8 m in height. Lots of olive trees need a partner to pollinate, so you may need more than one Olive tree.

If you live in a dry area with lots of sun, low winds, and humidity with winter temperatures never below 15°F, you’ll know that olives do well in these areas. Avoid planting olive trees in windy areas as this plant has a very shallow root system. If you have some wind, please be sure to double stake the tree to give it extra support.

Zone 9 Olive Trees

If the space is a problem, and you want fruit, so you have to select a self-fertile variety. A well-known self-fertile variety is Frantoio. Please consider if you want to grow the tree as an ornamental (there are several varieties that do not fruit) or for the oil or fruit produced from it.

A great variety is Manzanillo. But it needs another tree nearby to set fruit. Other choices include Mission, Ascolano and Sevillano, each with their good points and bad. There are many types of olive tree. It may take a little research on your part to decide which one will be best in your landscape and region. Your local extension office and nursery are the great sources of information.

Read more: Can Olive Tees Grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 5

Caring for Olives in Zone 9

It’s best to place your olive tree on the east or south side of your house because olive trees need at least 7 hours of full sun per day. They need well-draining soil, but it does not need to be highly fertile, as long as it is not overly sandy or clay laden.

Soak the root ball until its damp prior to planting atleast 20 minutes. Then, dig a hole which is at least 3 feet wide by 2 feet deep (61 x 91.5 cm). Please loosen the soil around the edges of the hole to make the roots to spread out. Then plant olives in the hole and make sure to tamp the soil around the roots so that root growth will good.

Also, you need to sprinkle compost over the planted area. You do not amend the planting hole with any additional compost. Please mulch around the olive tree to retard the weeds. Then water it heavily. After that, water each day, there is no rain for a month while the tree establishes. There is no requirement to stake the olive tree unless you live in a windy area. After the first month, you only have to water your olive tree once a month. If you water it more frequently, the olive tree is going to produce shallow and weak roots.

Everything You Need to Know About Olive Trees

Growing Conditions

The olive trees are able to withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate many different soil types.

Sun and shade

The olive trees are going to thrive in full sunlight. Also, they are able to tolerate partial shade, however this may reduce their overall crop yield.

Soil

Olive trees prefer well-drained alkaline soil. In fact they are able to adapt well to various types of soil, from sandy to loam to clay.

Watering

To help build a deep and healthy root system olive trees should be watered regularly the first time you plant them, although olive trees are known to tolerate drought. For the first several weeks after planting, water your olive tree twice weekly.

After that, you are able to reduce watering to one every week for 10 days. You do need to water soil that is already moist. Please test the level by inserting your index finger into the soil to at least 2 inches down. If the soil feels dry, it means that you need to water.

Fertilizing      

Feed your Olive trees twice a year, with a slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer to increase your Olive crop.

Pruning

If you want to prune, you are able to do that at the leaf nodes at the end of winter, before the tree has started flowering. Pruning will be able to be good for improving light penetration, opening up the canopy, and boosting your harvest. Prune dead or diseased branches is a needed.

Harvesting

In 2-4 years your Olive tree will begin fruiting. The olives ripen on the tree. You are able to know when they are ready when they become glossy black. In November will be the earliest ones to harvest. Usually olives don’t all ripen at once. With a high concentration of oil, making your own olive oil will be the best option.