The olive is conditionally hardy north of the Alps. Planted out in a bed, an olive tree can hibernate outside if it is protected against frost and moisture. An olive in a tub spends the cold season better in the winter quarters. Read here practical tips on how to skilfully overwinter Olea europaea.

Planted olive trees can cope with temperatures as low as -10° Celsius

Equip planted olives with winter protection

Don't worry if your olive winter puts a snow cap on your olive with temperatures around freezing. The cold tolerance of Mediterranean olive trees extends to - 10° Celsius. Nevertheless, the onset of winter is the signal to protect an olive in the bed from severe frost and permanent winter moisture. How to do it right:

  • Mulch the tree disc with a thick layer of leaves or straw, fixed with needle sticks to prevent wind
  • Wrap the trunk with several layers of fleece or reed mats
  • Cover the crown with a special winter fleece (permeable to light and air)

For winter protection for an olive, choose only natural materials. Foil as a hood for the crown or cover for the root disk prevents the air supply and creates harmful moisture in the form of condensation.

Overwinter the olive in a frost-free bucket

In the bucket, the frost tolerance of an olive reaches its limits early on. Limited substrate volume and an exposed position of the root ball are important arguments for overwintering the Mediterranean icon with a roof over your head. The following brief instructions explain when to put an olive in the bucket and overwinter it in top form:

  1. Leave the olive outside until after the first frost below -3° Celsius at night (minimum-maximum thermometer)
  2. Place tubs in a bright, dry, cool-temperate winter quarters
  3. Regulate temperatures to a constant 5° to 8° Celsius (no warmer than 12° Celsius)

Proven winter locations for olive trees are: conservatory, greenhouse, stairwell, garage or a winter tent with frost guard. If the tub is on a plant trolley, you are spared the sweaty maneuvering of an olive.

Overwinter balcony olives in a winter box

Lack of space in the house makes balcony gardeners inventive. A macro location within hardiness zone Z8 or a mild winter microclimate on the balcony allow a potted olive to overwinter in the shelter of a winter box. Thats how it works:

  1. Set up a large wooden box in front of the roofed house wall or in a corner protected from the wind and rain
  2. Fill the wooden box with a 10 cm layer of bark mulch
  3. Place the olive in the bucket in the center of the box
  4. Pad the cavities between the vessel and the wooden wall with straw
  5. Cover the substrate with autumn leaves, straw, sawdust or bark mulch
  6. Cover the crown with winter fleece

Are buckets and olives too big and heavy for a wooden box as a winter box? Then line the plant trolley with straw, old clothes or blankets. Wrap the pot with bubble wrap and jute. A large, colored bow decoratively comforts you with the winter protection.

tips

The best time to trim an olive crown is at the end of the winter. From mid-February to the end of March, cut back any branches that are sticking out of the crown. You can repair late frost damage with secateurs on St. John's Day, at the end of June. Good to know: Olive trees tolerate pruning and sprout happily even as old wood.

Category:

Trees