Olives are hardy, but sensitive to frost
The real olive tree, as the olive is also often called, comes from a warm and dry climate, which is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Nevertheless, many olive varieties also know light frosts from their homeland, but are not used to long periods of frost and / or very deep frosts. Therefore olives are described as hardy, although they are quite sensitive to frost.
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Caring for olives properly in winter
Olives need a winter break in which they prefer to stand outdoors or at a maximum of 10 ° C in a cool and bright location in the house or apartment. Temperatures around freezing point are usually well tolerated, as long as the bucket is well protected from freezing through. For this purpose, root heating is advisable, especially in regions where it can get very cold. Olives have to be watered regularly, even in winter, but much less frequently.
Preparing for winter
Before you winterize your olive tree, you must first prepare it accordingly. To do this, you can prune your sapling towards the end of the growing season, and you should fertilize again with patent potash. This fertilizer is also known as potash magnesia and ensures that young shoots can lignify faster. Lignified shoots, on the other hand, defy frost much better.
Winterize olives
To make your olive winterproof, it first needs a protected location. The tree needs a lot of light and air even in winter, which is why dark basement rooms are not useful. Instead, you can place the tree against a heat-radiating wall, ideally in a sheltered and roofed corner. Cover the soil in the pot with a thick layer of brushwood or bark mulch, this will keep the roots warm and optimally protect them from frost. As soon as it threatens to get very cold, wrap the pot, trunk and crown with frost protection mats made of jute, sisal, straw or coconut.
What you should definitely not do in winter
- leave the olive tree outside without protection
- put the olive tree in a dark place (e.g. cellar)
- place the olive tree in the living room or another warm place
- not pour
- fertilize
Select the appropriate olive varieties
There are around 1000 different types of olives in the world, some of which are very sensitive to frost and others less. How sensitive an olive tree is to frost depends primarily on its region of origin. For this reason, when buying, you should be careful not to buy a variety from Andalusia or a similar hot area. Instead, it is better to choose trees that have been cultivated in a rougher area - these are used to some bad weather and will certainly survive a German winter better.
Tips & Tricks
If you do not overwinter your olive tree outside, but inside, you ensure plenty of light, the right temperature and a regular supply of fresh air. Olives are not indoor plants, they are much more comfortable outdoors. Regular ventilation is therefore important in winter quarters.
