I’ve always wanted an olive tree. I saw one in a big pot at my neighbor’s once, and I just fell in love with how it looked. So, I finally decided to get one for myself. I did a bit of research and found out that they like it warm. Since I don’t live in a Mediterranean climate, I figured I’d keep mine potted so I could move it around.
First, I got a nice big pot, one of those terracotta ones. I learned that olive trees don’t like soggy feet, so good drainage is important. I mixed some regular potting soil with some peat moss to help with that. Then, I planted my little olive tree in its new home.
The real challenge was figuring out the right temperature. My research said that these trees do best between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I live in a place where it can get much colder than that in the winter, and even a bit too hot in the summer.
During the warmer months, I put the pot outside on my patio. It’s a pretty sunny spot, and I made sure it got at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. I’d check the weather forecast all the time, and if it was going to get really hot, like over 85 degrees, I’d move the pot to a shadier spot for part of the day.
Winter Strategy
When it started getting colder, that’s when I had to get creative. I don’t have a greenhouse, so I brought the tree inside. I found a spot near a south-facing window where it could still get some sunlight. It was tricky because the temperature inside my house is usually around 70 degrees, which is fine, but I had to make sure it didn’t get too drafty near the window.
- Moved the tree indoors before the first frost.
- Placed it near a south-facing window for maximum sunlight.
- Monitored the indoor temperature to keep it within the ideal range.
I read that olive trees can handle a bit of cold, down to about 15 degrees, but I didn’t want to risk it. My goal was to keep the temperature around the tree as close to that sweet spot of 60 to 80 degrees as possible.
It’s been a bit of a learning curve, moving the tree around and all, but it’s been worth it. My olive tree is doing pretty well, and I’m hoping to see some fruit in a few years. It’s kind of like having a little piece of the Mediterranean right here at home. It takes some work, but I enjoy caring for it, and it’s really brightened up my space, both indoors and out.
