How to Grow Olive Trees in Oregon

Oregon farmers appear focused on diversification, planting everything from kiwi fruit to chestnuts. Olive trees in Oregon are grown primarily for their oil. The olives are typically picked while green, which means that the pressed oil will often have higher levels of polyphenols, or antioxidants. Growing your own olive trees in Oregon may require some experimentation. If you're growing multiple trees, select different varieties to see how they adapt.

Things You'll Need

• Olive tree
• Soil
• Water
• Mulch
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Dig a hole in well-drained soil that has a pH of up to 8.5, according to California Rare Fruit Growers. If you're planting multiple olive trees, the holes should be spaced about 20 feet apart. The holes should be as big as the container the tree is in.

2. Untwist any roots that are tangled after the olive tree is removed from the potting container. Place the tree in the hole and fill with soil. The University of California recommends not adding any potting mix, fertilizer, compost or other filler material, as the root systems of olive trees tend to do best when they can grow in native soil.

3. Water the tree deeply after planting. Following the initial watering, the amount of water you should give your olive tree depends on the weather conditions. Oregon tends to be rainy, especially in the spring and summer months. If Oregon experiences droughtlike conditions, water your olive tree deeply about once a month. Olive trees are typically able to survive dry conditions.

4. Apply mulch to the olive tree as often as needed. Weed control is essential for the first few years of your olive tree's life. Use fabric mulch or organic mulch or simply hoe the area by hand.

5. Fertilize your olive tree when it shows new growth in the spring following planting. Use a nitrogen fertilizer.

6. Prune sparingly until after the tree is at least four years old. The University of California warns that young trees may experience less growth and olive production if they are excessively pruned. However, you should remove dead branches.

References

• California Rare Fruit Growers: Olive
• University of California: Planting Olive Trees
• National Weather Service: Portland, OR
• Oregon Department of Agriculture: Oregon Agriculture Honors Diversity
• Oregon State University: Olives in Oregon

Resources

• Oregon Olive Trees