If growing the olive tree outdoors, it requires a minimum of 6-8 hours of sunshine a day. To plant your Arbequinas outdoors, remove any weeds or grass from the planting site. There are many reasons for the yellow leaves appearing on your olive tree. Arbequina olive trees are self-pollinating, so you only need one to get fruit. Arbequina olive trees prefer light pruning. Olive trees grown in containers can only be left outside until early October. Mulching is another effective way of preventing weed growth. The earliest ones are ready to harvest in November. Your Arbequina olive tree will start producing fruit within 2-4 years of planting. Incredibly popular for their large harvests and hardiness, Arbequina olives make up 78% of all olive acres planted in California, according to the Olive Oil Times. If you choose to plant your Arbequina olive tree in a container, choose a pot that has drainage holes for watering and that is 1.5-2 times the width of the container your tree arrived in. Yes, it's a messy job. Yes, Arbequina olives are fleshy, meaty black olives that can be eaten as a snack, used to make oil, and more. It takes as little as 2 to 3 weeks for your olive tree cutting to root. Now position the pot in full, direct sun during the summer months and water the plant regularly whenever the top soil feels dry to the touch. Water slowly using a drip line or hose. In fact, since these trees aren’t decidous, their leaves have a lifespan of around 2 to 3 years, after which time they turn yellow and fall off. If planted outdoors, Arbequina olive trees flourish in Zones 8-10. A porch is a suitable place to keep the potted Arbequina indoors during winter. Once your Arbequina olive tree has established, it requires little maintenance. So, whether you live up North, out West or down South, you can have an Arbequina of your own. All olive lovers know about Arbequina olives, the meaty, blac,k antioxidant-rich fruits perfect for making oils, putting on pizza, or scattering across a charcuterie board. Important: don’t bury the plant deeper than it was in the container. By pruning in spring, the young tree will grow new buds and better tolerate frost or freezing temperatures. Feed the olive tree as soon as you see new growth in spring with 1 to 2 lbs. For starters, make sure the soil is moist by watering the baby plant regularly (once or twice a week). The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. You may also use organic herbicides to kill the weeds. As long as you grow the tree under optimal conditions, expect to harvest some tasty olives within 2-3 years! Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox. Once the blooms have faded and the fruit starts appearing, it’s time to propagate. If you live in a colder climate, growing Arbequinas will be more successful in order to keep your olive tree protected from the cold. Adding an insert is a smart investment that's pure win-win—it'll keep you warm and slash your heating bills all at once. Learn more. How do I care for my baby Arbequina olive tree? Your tree will begin fruiting within 2-4 years. This article will lead you in the right direction and give you an insight into producing a healthy and thriving fruit tree. You don’t want to water soil that is already moist. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. When planting outside, choose a site that receives full sun (at least 6 hours) and has good soil drainage. The preference is for at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. Be sure to allow the potting soil to dry out between waterings. The earliest time you can harvest is in November. You should always prune dead or diseased branches. If you choose to plant more than one, make sure they are 8-12 feet apart from each other, measuring from their trunks. Tip: While the newly planted tree is getting established in the first 6 months, it should be watered deeply two or three times per week. Arbequina olives have a high concentration of soil, which is fruity and aromatic, making them an excellent choice for creating your own olive oil. While the fruit fly doesn’t impact the health of an olive tree, the female fly can deposit her eggs into the fruit. Pruning can be good for increasing light penetration, opening up the canopy, and boosting your harvest. Although Arbequina olive trees can tolerate drought, they should be watered regularly when first planted to help establish a deep, healthy root system. Bear in mind that potted olive trees tend to grow slower than the ones planted outside. Arbequina Olive Trees - Care, Propagation, and Harvesting Tips, Characteristics of Arbequina Olive Tree at a Glance, Best Christmas Tree Farms in North Hampton, NH, Growing Zone Map - Find Your Plant Hardiness Zone, How to Grow and Care For Meyer Lemon Trees, 5 Amazing Types of Broccoli You Can Grow In Your Garden Today, Regularly weekly and more frequently in extreme heat, Mediterranean climates/ long hot summers and cool winters, Olive fruit fly, peacock spot, Cercospora leaf.