Introduction

Olive trees are not just beautiful, but also provide delicious fruits and nutritious oil. However, to take care of olive trees, it's important to plant compatible species around them. In this article, we'll explore the best plants to grow around olive trees.

Companion Plants for Olive Trees

There are several herbs and plants that grow well alongside olive trees. Some of these include:

Thyme

Thyme is a great herb to plant around olive trees. It's drought-tolerant and can grow in a variety of soils. Plus, thyme attracts bees and other pollinators to your garden, which can help improve the productivity of your olive trees.

Lavender

Lavender is another herb that grows well around olive trees. It's also drought-tolerant and grows well in sandy, well-drained soils. Lavender attracts beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and moths to your garden, making it a perfect companion plant for olive trees.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a hardy herb that can withstand extreme heat and dry conditions. It's also resistant to pests and diseases, making it a great plant to grow around olive trees. Rosemary can also help improve the flavor of your olives when used in cooking.

Garlic

Garlic is a great plant to grow around olive trees. It helps repel pests and diseases and can also improve the flavor of your olives. Garlic is also known to be a natural insecticide, which can help protect your olive trees from pests.

Plants to Avoid Around Olive Trees

While some plants make great companions for olive trees, others can have negative effects. Here are some plants to avoid planting around olive trees:

Grasses

Grasses can compete with olive trees for nutrients and water. Plus, mowing around the trees can damage their roots. It's best to avoid planting turf grasses around olive trees.

Grapevines

Grapevines can attract pests that can damage olive trees. Plus, the roots of grapevines can compete with olive trees for nutrients and water. It's best to avoid planting grapevines near olive trees.

Other Fruit Trees

Other fruit trees can compete with olive trees for nutrients and water. Plus, they can attract pests that can damage your olive trees. It's best to plant other fruit trees in a separate area of your garden.

Conclusion

Planting compatible companion plants around your olive trees can help improve their growth and productivity. Thyme, lavender, rosemary, and garlic are great options to grow around olive trees. However, it's best to avoid planting grasses, grapevines, and other fruit trees around olive trees to prevent competition and pest damage. With the right plants, your olive trees will thrive and provide you with delicious fruits and oil for years to come.