Wondering how we go about growing all the olive trees in our My Olive Tree groves? We follow a detailed, lengthy process to make sure all trees grow healthy and strong.
First, it’s important to plant at the right time of year. Fall can be a good time to plant, because it allows the roots to get settled in the soil and take advantage of a growth spurt in the following spring. However, most growers wait until spring so they don’t have to worry about the dangers of frost. Planting trees as early as possible after the last expected frost gives the trees plenty of time to acclimatize before the next winter.
Once you have chosen the time of year to plant the tree, there are several steps you’ll need to follow:
• Dig a planting hole about the same size as the tree’s container. Untwist or cut any circling roots before planting, but otherwise try not to disturb the ball of roots.
• Make sure the tree is well-watered before planting.
• Trees should be placed in a hole slightly higher than ground level, with the surrounding area covered by about an inch of soil over the root ball.
• Do not use too much fertilizer or compost, because it could cause the tree to get used to an unnaturally good growing environment. You should also not use any gravel or perforated tubing under the planting hole, as it could reduce drainage.
• Make sure you do plenty of weeding. Use mulch, straw, herbicides and anything else needed to keep weeds away from the new trees as much as possible. Trees should not have any growth competition within three feet.
• Use sprinklers to wet the area between trees without getting the tree trunks wet. They should operate long enough to apply about four inches of water to the area. You should begin irrigation as soon as you notice the soil becoming dry.
• Trim trees as little as possible within their first four years. After four to six years trees have reached their ultimate form and then you can start trimming, but doing so earlier could stunt the tree’s growth.
For more tips on growing olive trees, contact us today at My Olive Tree.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a partnership between the Evangelical community and the nation of Israel; this partnership will produce employment, income, and revenue for humanitarian aid projects in Israel. We envision the planting of one-million olive trees over the next seven years. This relationship was prophesied in the Bible centuries ago, that the foreigners and strangers (those not of Jewish descent) would help rebuild the walls of Israel and cause the desert to bloom (Isa 35:1). Among other things, this reforestation is an environmental blessing for the entire region. May all who participate in this project be blessed body, soul and spirit; it is time for you to take root in Israel!