I'm asking b/c I'm interested in planting an olive tree in my backyard and I'm curious as to other's experiences growing olives. I live in the Dallas area, Zone 8. Can anyone share their good/bad experiences with growing olives?
FYI - In Dallas we get cold and sometimes frosty winters with last frost in mid-March (low in the 20s sometimes). Wet, temperate Springs. Dry, HOT summers (temps can reach up to 111 F). And warmish to coldish Autumns (range from 80s to 40s in the fall)...if any of that makes sense. Would you recommend planting the tree in a container or are the trees hardy enough to withstand the climate here?
Thanks for the help! Anna
I just looked in my Sunset National Garden Book.
Sunset states that olives are hardy down to 15 deg. F and that they like hot, dry summers. Does this describe Dallas? (I *know* that the summers are HOT in Dallas; I'm just not sure about the "dry" part.)
How cold did it get in Dallas a couple of weeks ago, when so much of the country was in killing-cold temps?
I didn't see anything about olives as a container plant in Sunset. Maybe others have more information in that regard?
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
Sunset states that olives are hardy down to 15 deg. F and that they like hot, dry summers. Does this describe Dallas? (I *know* that the summers are HOT in Dallas; I'm just not sure about the "dry" part.)
How cold did it get in Dallas a couple of weeks ago, when so much of the country was in killing-cold temps?
I didn't see anything about olives as a container plant in Sunset. Maybe others have more information in that regard?
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
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hendi_alex
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I have no experience with olive trees, but did recently research and ordered one. From the map, it appears that Texas is suitable for many choices of olive trees. I'll provide links for the most useful sites found during my search.
Willis orchard has a nice variety of trees and also gives info related to cold hardiness for each, including a shaded map showing suitable growing areas.
[url]https://www.willisorchards.com/category/Olive+Trees?gclid=CLq3xsaQr5gCFQHHGgod2icfVA[/url]
Olive tree growers, out of Florida has a nice description and hardiness information regarding several varieties.
[url]https://www.olivetreegrowers.com/varieties.php[/url]
Olive oil source has a plethora of information regarding both olives and olive trees. It has a list of sources for buying nursery stock, many of which are located in Texas.
[url]https://www.oliveoilsource.com/scripts/company_item.asp?p_com=746&p=tree[/url]
Finally, I ended up buying an Arbequina Olive Tree because of its relative small size and cold hardiness. Ordered from raintree nursery because of previous good experience when buying pomegranate trees.
[url]https://www.raintreenursery.com/catalog/producttype.cfm?producttype=Olives[/url]
Good luck with your search,
Alex
Willis orchard has a nice variety of trees and also gives info related to cold hardiness for each, including a shaded map showing suitable growing areas.
[url]https://www.willisorchards.com/category/Olive+Trees?gclid=CLq3xsaQr5gCFQHHGgod2icfVA[/url]
Olive tree growers, out of Florida has a nice description and hardiness information regarding several varieties.
[url]https://www.olivetreegrowers.com/varieties.php[/url]
Olive oil source has a plethora of information regarding both olives and olive trees. It has a list of sources for buying nursery stock, many of which are located in Texas.
[url]https://www.oliveoilsource.com/scripts/company_item.asp?p_com=746&p=tree[/url]
Finally, I ended up buying an Arbequina Olive Tree because of its relative small size and cold hardiness. Ordered from raintree nursery because of previous good experience when buying pomegranate trees.
[url]https://www.raintreenursery.com/catalog/producttype.cfm?producttype=Olives[/url]
Good luck with your search,
Alex
Last edited by hendi_alex on Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:41 am, edited 2 times in total.
Exactly the info I was looking for....thanks toyou both!!!
And Cynthia - Dallas is usually VERY dry in the summer. We have the occasional humid day or two but our climate is NOTHING like the tropical rainforest I call Houston/Galveston
I'm originally from Houston and the humidity is stifling at times...yuck! My hair thanks me for moving north to Dallas - HA!
Anna
And Cynthia - Dallas is usually VERY dry in the summer. We have the occasional humid day or two but our climate is NOTHING like the tropical rainforest I call Houston/Galveston
I'm originally from Houston and the humidity is stifling at times...yuck! My hair thanks me for moving north to Dallas - HA!Anna