Okay, so I’ve been getting really into gardening lately, and I decided to take on a new challenge: olive trees! I’ve always loved olives, and the idea of having my own little Mediterranean grove in the backyard was super appealing. But, I live in a place that definitely isn’t the Mediterranean, so the first big question was: can olive trees even survive here? That led me down the rabbit hole of figuring out the ideal temperature range for these guys.
My Olive Tree Temperature Deep Dive
First, I started poking around online, reading articles and forum posts. I quickly learned that olive trees are pretty tough, but they’re not invincible. They like it warm, obviously, but how warm? And more importantly, how cold is too cold?
Here’s the general gist of what I found out:
- Ideal Growing Temps: Olive trees are happiest when the temperature is between 65°F and 80°F (that’s about 18°C to 27°C). That’s when they really thrive and put on new growth.
- Dormancy is Key: They actually need a period of cooler temperatures in the winter to trigger flowering and fruit production. Think of it like a winter nap – they need to chill out (literally!) to get ready for the next growing season. Generally that period they need would be for a couple months below 50°F or 10°C.
- Cold Hardiness Varies: This is where it got tricky. Different olive tree varieties have different levels of cold hardiness. Some can tolerate temperatures down to 15°F (-9°C) for short periods, while others start to get damaged at around 20°F (-6°C).
- Young Trees are More Vulnerable: Like most plants, young olive trees are more susceptible to cold damage than established trees. So, extra protection is needed for the first few years.
Putting it into Practice in my garden
I grabbed a couple of young olive trees from local nursery store– I chose a variety that’s known for being relatively cold-hardy. The last thing what I wanted is get a kind that will die immediately.
I Planted them in a big and nice sunny spot in the yard. I added some well-draining soil mix, since olive trees hate having wet feet.
I Monitored the weather forecast like a crazy. When temperatures were predicted to drop below freezing, I got ready to protect my trees.
I started to wrap the trunks with burlap, especially for the young trees. It’s kind of like giving them a warm winter coat.
I spreaded a thick layer of mulch around the base of the trees to insulate the roots. This is always a good practice, no matter the plant!
I even used temporary covers, like blankets or frost cloths, on really cold nights. I had to get creative and use whatever I could find around the house!
I kept a close eye out for any signs of cold damage, like leaf drop or browning. Luckily, I didn’t see anything too alarming!
It’s been a learning experience, for sure. There’s been some trial and error, but seeing my little olive trees make it through the winter was incredibly rewarding. I’m still learning, and every year will be different, but I’m feeling pretty good about my chances of having my own olives someday! I’m super excited to keep track of their growth and I will update more in the future!
