When to Plant Olive Trees: Spring or Fall

The two seasons generally considered best for planting olive trees are spring and fall, and each offers distinct advantages.

Spring Planting

Spring is often the season people think of first, and for good reason. As temperatures rise and daylight lengthens, olive trees enter a period of active growth. Warmer soil encourages root establishment, while increasing light supports healthy top growth.

Planting in spring can give a young tree a valuable head start before its first full growing season. It also allows the gardener to observe the tree closely during the months when new growth is most visible.

The challenge is timing. Spring planting should be done early enough that the tree has time to settle in before the greater heat of summer arrives. Once temperatures rise, irrigation demands increase significantly, and a newly planted tree can be stressed by heat if it has not yet established a sufficient root system. Careful watering is essential: enough to support establishment, but not so much that the soil remains overly wet.

Fall Planting

Fall is also an excellent time to plant olive trees. Although air temperatures begin to cool, the soil often remains relatively warm, which can encourage root growth without the added stress of intense summer sun or prolonged heat.

A tree planted in early fall may spend the cooler months establishing its root system and can enter spring with a stronger foundation already in place. This can be a great advantage in regions with long, mild autumns and relatively moderate winters.

The key is not to plant too late. A young olive tree should have time to begin settling in before the risk of an early frost or sharp cold event. In colder regions, or where fall weather turns abruptly, spring may be the safer choice.

How to Choose Between Spring and Fall

The better season depends on your local climate, your site, and the variety you’ve chosen.

Some olive trees are better adapted to cold tolerance, while others are more comfortable in warm inland valleys or mild coastal conditions. Exposure, drainage, and the likelihood of summer heat or winter cold all matter.

In general:

Choose spring if your summers arrive gradually and you can plant early enough to establish the tree before serious heat.
Choose fall if your autumns are long and mild, and your winters do not bring an immediate risk of frost.

Both seasons can provide an excellent planting window, but success depends on matching the tree to the site and then providing attentive care after planting.

A Practical Note on Site and Variety

No planting calendar can substitute for local conditions. A sheltered garden near the coast may offer a very different planting window from an inland site with greater heat, wind, or frost exposure.

Variety matters, too. Some olives are more cold tolerant, some are better suited to oil production, some to curing, and some are more adaptable overall. Choosing wisely at the start makes establishment much easier.

If you’d like help selecting the right tree for your region, landscape, or culinary goals, you are welcome to write to me at Liz@AmericanOliveFarmer.com.