How to Raise Olive Trees
- 1). Position a terra cotta pot on a runners or wooden slats to allow good drainage during rainy weather. Leaving the pot flush on the ground may rot the roots. Put the pot in a sunny spot where the tree will receive at least six hours of sunlight a day.
- 2). Pour a mixture of sand and pebbles into the bottom of a terra cotta pot to a depth of 2 to 3 inches, according to the size of your pot.
- 3). Fill the pot with one-third full of potting soil. Test soils before adding them to the pot to verify that the pH level is between 5.5 and 8.5.
- 4). Add the olive tree to the pot and fill the pot with soil to just below the rim, about 2 inches.
- 5). Add 1/4 to 1 pound of nitrogen to the pot in December. Nitrogen will assist the spring growth of flowers and help the provide nutrients to the tree. Do this yearly to promote growth.
- 6). Pull weeds from the pot as they appear.
- 7). Water the tree during dry seasons when no natural precipitation has fallen. Do not over water olive trees.
- 8). Prune the olive tree branches in spring as needed. Remove sucker branches using sharp pruning shears.
Source...