Arbequina Olive Tree

1. Planting: 

• Dig a hole twice as wide but no deeper than the grow pot your plant arrives in. Remove the plant and place it in the hole, keeping the top of the root ball level with the soil. Backfill 50/50 with a mix of amendments such as peat moss or new top soil to native soil. Water deeply. Mulch 3 inches away from the base of the trunk

• Choose a pot that is no wider than 1-2 inches than the pot the plant was shipped to you in. This prevents excessive soil from collecting water that sits on the roots of the plant. Ensure the pot has good drainage holes. Remove plant from grow pot and place in your own pot. Backfill with well draining potting mix. Water pot deeply until water comes out the bottom of your pot.

After choosing your container, place the Olive Tree inside and cover with soil, tamping down as you backfill. Then water to settle the roots - it's that simple.

2. Watering: Weekly waterings should suffice for your Arbequina, but if you're not sure when to water, just check the soil. When the soil is dry in the first two inches, it’s time to water.

3. Fertilizing: Use a high nitrogen fertilizer, like a 10-10-10 timed-release fertilizer, for best results.

4. Pruning: Thin out young plants to 3 or 4 main branches. After blooming in spring, clip the tips of the branches. Make the cut just above the point where a pair of leaves attaches to the stem. Leave each branch at least six inches long, but how much longer is up to you!

5. Harvesting: Olives can be picked easily as soon as they ripen and enjoyed now or later.