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Olives are not entirely hardy in most areas of the UK
Prolonged cold weather may cause leaf drop, splitting bark or dieback.
For this reason consideration should be given whether to grow them in containers or not.
Growing in containers can allow the grower to be move them to a more protected spot in the garden for the cold winter months.
In mild areas olives have been known to crop outdoors if grown in a sheltered position such as against a warm house wall.
Mature plants are more frost tolerant but will be damaged once temperatures fall below minus 10°C.
Plants damaged by frost will normally regrow from previously dormant buds, but flowering and fruiting for the season will be limited.
Olives will grow in a wide range of soils providing it is well drained.
Although drought tolerant, olives benefit from regular watering in dry spells.
Annually in spring apply a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of around 1:1½:2
Container culture;
As indicated above plants are best grown in pots that can be placed outdoors in summer and brought into a cold glasshouse for winter.
Ideally; fill the pots with loam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 3 or similar, mixed with grit at a ratio of 4:1 for drainage.Note; Watering of containers can be critical to the overall health of the plant/s
Although they are drought tolerant they will need watering and feeding regularly when in growth.
Reduce watering in winter, but do not allow the compost to dry out completely.
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