Grow Olives Where You Think You Can't with Steven Biggs

This week, Joanne speaks with horticulturist and author Steven Biggs about his latest book, Grow Olives Where You Think You Can’t: How to Grow an Olive Tree in a Pot. 

About Steven Biggs

Steven was recognized by Garden Making magazine as one of the “green gang” making a difference in Canadian horticulture. His home-garden experiments span driveway straw-bale gardens, a rooftop kitchen garden, fruit plantings, and an edible-themed front yard. He's a horticulturist, award-winning broadcaster and author, and former horticulture instructor with George Brown and Durham Colleges in Ontario, Canada. His books include Grow Lemons Where You Think You Can't, Growing Figs in Cold Climates, Grow Figs Where You Think You Can't, and No-Guff Gardening, available at foodgardenlife.com.

Here are some of the topics discussed in this episode:

Growing Olives in Cold Climates

• Olive trees are well-suited for cold climates
• They can live for hundreds of years
• Olive trees are available at garden centres
• Steven recommends the self-pollinating variety, Frantoio, for home gardens
• Can be used for screening or framing garden spaces

Olive Tree Care in Containers

• Growing olive trees in pots: the importance of full sun, well-draining soil, and regular pruning for size control and fruit production
• You'll also need a simple all-purpose fertilizer and amending potting soil with garden loam and sand for added weight to prevent toppling
• Store potted olive trees in a cool, dark place over the winter to satisfy chill hours for flowering and fruiting
• Joanne noted that olive trees can be brought indoors as houseplants during the winter and taken outside in the spring after new growth has hardened off

Olive Tree Care, Propagation and Pruning

• Steven shared his experience growing olive trees, including a method used by a Vancouver Island grower who protects his trees with horticultural fleece and Christmas lights during cold weather
• Olive trees can be propagated through cuttings, air layering, or by taking advantage of suckers that naturally develop at the base of the tree
• Olive trees are relatively easy to care for, but common issues include overwatering in winter, leading to root rot and letting the soil dry out in summer
• Steven’s potting technique: root pruning every 3-4 years by lifting the tree from its 14-inch pot, trimming the roots, and replacing the soil
• Olive trees need bright light indoors and can be pruned to minimize alternate bearing, which causes heavy crops in one year followed by none the next

Find Steven Biggs online at www.foodgardenlife.com and Grow Olives Where You Think You Can't on Amazon.

Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss?

Email your questions and comments to [e-mail], or connect via her website at down2earth.ca.

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