How to grow Olive in Australia
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil, where this tough tree shrugs off heat and dry spells once established. Water young trees to settle them, then water mature trees deeply but infrequently.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 7 days
- Spacing: 500 cm
- Time to harvest: 1460 days (about 4 years)
- Time to germinate: 1 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 8
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | April to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | April to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | April to August | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to May, August and September | Plant Mar to May or Aug to Sep so roots settle in the mild wet months before summer. Hardy in Melbourne; young trees in frosty outer suburbs like frost cloth for the first winters. |
| Adelaide & SA | April to August | |
| Perth & WA | April to August | |
| Tasmania | September to November | Plant Sep to Nov. Trees are hardy but crops are light in cool summers. Frantoio types do best. |
| Canberra & ACT | March to May, August and September | Plant Mar to May or Aug to Sep. Established olives take Canberra frost, but wrap or cover young trees for their first few winters and pick a sheltered site, as late frost damages blossom. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not suited. Olives need cool winters to flower and set fruit. The NQ coast never gets them. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Olives need cool winters to set fruit. Darwin is the opposite climate. |
Varieties
- Kalamata
- Manzanilla
- Frantoio
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick green for a sharper result or wait for full black ripeness for milder fruit. Hand strip or comb the branches, and remember all olives need curing before eating.
Storage
Cured olives in brine, up to 12 months. Oil stored in a dark bottle for 12 to 18 months.