So, I decided to get an olive tree. I’ve always loved the look of them, those silvery-green leaves and the promise of, well, olives! But I live in a place that’s not exactly the Mediterranean, so I knew I’d have my work cut out for me.
Getting Started
First thing I did was research. Lots and lots of reading online. I needed to figure out what kind of olive tree would even have a chance of surviving, let alone thriving, in my climate. I found out there are cold-hardy varieties, which was a relief!
Then, I went to a local nursery – not a big box store, but a real, family-run place where they actually know about plants. I talked to one of the owners, and she helped me pick out a small Arbequina tree. It was already a couple of feet tall, and looked pretty healthy.
Planting and Potting
I decided to keep it in a pot, at least for now. That way, I could move it indoors if the weather got really nasty. I found a big terracotta pot – you need good drainage for olive trees, they don’t like wet feet! – and some well-draining potting mix.
I carefully removed the tree from its nursery pot, gently loosened the roots a bit, and planted it in the new pot. I watered it thoroughly until water came out the bottom.
Daily Care and Challenges
- Watering: This is the tricky part. I learned that you have to let the soil dry out almost completely between waterings. Overwatering is a killer! I usually stick my finger in the soil – if it’s dry about two inches down, it’s time to water.
- Sunlight: Olive trees love sun, the more the better. I placed mine on my south-facing patio, where it gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day.
- Fertilizing: During the growing season (spring and summer), I feed it with a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks. I just mix it with the water according to the instructions on the bottle.
- Pest Patrol I check frequently my olive tree if there is a scale or other kind of pest.
I had a bit of a scare a few weeks ago. Some of the leaves started turning yellow and dropping off. I panicked, thinking I’d killed it already! But after some more online research, I realized I might have been overwatering it (oops!). I eased up on the watering, and it seems to be recovering.
The Long Haul
It’s still early days, and I’m definitely no expert. But my little olive tree is still alive, and it even has some new growth! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’ll continue to do well. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll even get some olives someday. But even if I don’t, it’s a beautiful tree, and I’m enjoying the process of learning how to care for it.
