Whether you love Mediterranean food for the flavour profile or the many health benefits, olives are common in almost every Mediterranean dish. While we mostly associate olive trees with the Middle East or even Italy and Greece, we rarely think of them in our allotment or kitchen garden.
Although, a warmer climate plant, growing olives in the UK is possible, though the quality and quantity of fruit will depend on the effort you put in and the location of your allotment. Olives usually need a period, at least two months, of colder temperatures and fluctuating day and night temperatures, to start flowering and bearing fruits.
Read our guide to the end to learn about growing olives on your allotment. If you are looking for assistance, sign up on our platform to seek help from fellow allotment growers.
Growing olives in the UK is possible because it’s an extremely versatile and adaptable plant that can adjust to the colder climates in our country. If you are an allotment grower from the north, and wonder whether you can grow olives in the UK, then our advice would be to use a greenhouse.
When temperatures fall below freezing point, it can be difficult for the plant to survive and even if it does, the chances of bearing fruits are extremely low. For the colder areas, using a greenhouse, keeping container plants indoors for the night or covering them with horticulture fleece can allow you to get freshly grown olives.
Olives are an evergreen, Mediterranean tree that bears fruit in a sunny and sheltered, south-facing position. Established trees can grow up to 12 feet, although they are slow growing, and they can tolerate drought conditions.
To grow olive trees, the soil needs to be free-draining and well-manured. You must always ensure that the soil is well drained and there is no water stagnation as that can harm the plant.
Due to the slow rate of growth, olive trees can be planted in large containers, which is ideal for transferring into the greenhouse during the colder months. Olive trees are not fully hardy in the UK. Olive trees can also be planted in the soil; ideally in a full sun, sheltered spot.
Olive trees can be planted between March to May in well-drained soil. Keep the olive tree well-watered for the first two years until it becomes established. Container grown olive trees will require regular watering as compost dries out quicker. Feed the olive tree with multi-purpose liquid fertiliser approximately once per month. Add mulch to retain moisture and suppress the weeds.
Prune the olive tree in late spring to mid summer to improve exposure and air flow, and to remove dead or diseased branches. Pinch out the growing tips when the olive tree has reached approximately 5 feet. The fruits are formed on the previous year's growth.
Olive trees will not tolerate low, cold temperatures and so will need protection. If it is container grown, you can transfer it indoors.
If you are growing olives for the first time in your garden, then you would need to wait for 3 to 5 years before it will start bearing fruits. Olives are self-pollinated by wind pollination. Pruning the branches regularly can help you get a good harvest.
Following flowering, olives will be ready to harvest from October to December. They turn from green to black and can be harvested at either stage.
Green olives will need soaking in salted water for several days before consumption to eradicate the bitterness and black olives require dry curing in salt for several weeks until they are dehydrated and then stored in brine or olive oil.
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