Holly's Homestead — Vine Fruit
Olive
Olea europaea · Olive family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Evergreen perennial tree
MATURITY 3–5 years to first useful crop
TYPE Evergreen perennial tree
MATURITY 3–5 years to first useful crop
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low once established, drought-tolerant
Soil pH
6.0–8.0
Spacing
6–8m
Depth
as per pot
01Built for dry conditions
Olives are among the most drought-tolerant fruiting trees suited to Australian conditions — once established, they need remarkably little supplementary water.
02Planting
Method
Plant from a potted tree.
Soil
Free-draining, tolerates poor and alkaline soils well.
Timing
Plant in spring or autumn.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Water regularly for the first 1–2 years, then reduce significantly.
- Prune in late winter/early spring to maintain an open shape.
- Feed lightly once a year, if at all — olives cope well in lean soil.
- Fruit must always be cured before eating — never eaten fresh off the tree.
04Problems
- Olive lace bug — stippled, discoloured leaves; generally manageable, encourage predators.
- Fruit fly — net or manage as fruit develops.
- Peacock spot — leaf spotting in humid climates; improve airflow.
- Poor fruiting in overly rich soil or with too much water — olives generally prefer lean, dry conditions.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Green olives: full size, still green. Black olives: fully coloured and slightly soft.
Method
Hand-pick or lay nets and shake branches gently.
Curing
Requires curing in brine or lye before eating — never eaten straight off the tree.
Storage
Cured olives keep for months in brine; oil pressing is a separate process.
Preserving
See Dehydrating (drying grapes and similar fruit) or Canning & Bottling (jams and preserves) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
RosemaryLavenderAvoid nearby
Overly rich, wet soilRotation note
Not applicable — very long-lived perennial tree.
