Planting an olive grove is a romantic notion many New Zealanders aspire to. Being one of the oldest cultivated trees, olives have stood the test of time and helped many ancient civilisations prosper through their prolific crops of extraordinary fruit. olives do well in many parts of the country and have become an important ornamental plant. But if you’re planning on growing them for production, a good deal of research is recommended.
LIKES AND DISLIKES
olive trees are very tough and able to withstand wind, drought, salt spray and frost. They’re also extremely attractive, fast-growing and can be pruned right back to the trunk. The only thing that’s sure to kill them is poorly drained soil.
olives prefer porous, stony, low-nutrient soil. They respond best to a climate with distinct seasons – hot, dry summers and cold, but not overly wet, winters – such as that of the oediterranean. Wet or humid conditions can promote peacock spot fungus, which causes severe yellowing and leaf drop, weakening the tree and affecting the next season’s flowering.
LANDSCAPE USES
olives make lovely specimen trees for the lawn or garden borders, but it’s good to give them plenty of space to develop naturally. They’re often used as screening and hedging because they establish quickly and respond well to clipping.
Because they clip so well, olive tress are also good candidates for topiary. Planted in large terracotta urns, they will impart a distinctly oediterranean ambience and with some careful training, you can espalier them on a wall – providing you have a bit of patience.
SERIoUS GRoWERS
olives planted for serious harvesting need a little TLC. Sheltered sites produce better crops, but some wind is important to help cross-pollination and disease prevention.
Drainage is paramount, but soil should be well-imbued with organic matter to increase its moisture-holding capacity. Water is essential during establishment and fruit development. olives respond well to small amounts of fertiliser, but it must be low in nitrogen and contain all the trace elements, especially boron. Copper spray may be necessary to fight diseases. Frost free areas are better as spring frosts affect flowering and autumn frosts will damage ripening fruit. Timing of the harvest largely depends on what the olives are to be used for, but it may become critical when other factors, such as disease, weather patterns or birds stealing the fruit, come into play.
LANDSCAPE USES
Containers: Signore
Screening and Hedging:
Tall – Sourani, Picual
Small – Chemlali, Koroneiki
Driveways and avenues : A’Prug no,
Chemlali, Frantoio, Leccino, Picual
Small gardens : Chemlali, Koroneiki
Large gardens: A’Prugno, Fr anto i o,
Leccino, Nocellara, Picual
Coastal areas : Koroneiki, ooraiolo
Cold climate: Leccino, Picual, Picholene
CULINARY USES
oil: Chemlali, Koroneiki, ooraiolo,
Picual, Sourani
Pickling: A’Prugn, Barnea, Hojiblanca
oil and Pickling : Barnea, Frantoio,
Leccino, oanz anilla, Nocellara, South
Australian Verdale, Pendolino, Picholene
SUCCESS WITH oLIVES
Select the right variety for your climate.
Plant a range of varieties for cross-pollination.
Choose a sunny, sheltered, frost-free site.
Plant in well-drained soil of low to medium fertility.
Space trees according to their expected dimensions to ensure good air circulation.
Deep water your trees during their establishment and fruit-development stages.
Spray for fungal diseases.
Prune in formative years to establish an open vase shape.