Growing olive
subtropical / tropical fruit
WINTER CHILL NEEDED
~150–300 hrs
POLLINATION
Partly self-fertile — crops much better with a partner
Pollination
Several ('Arbequina', 'Mission') are self-fertile; all set more fruit with a second variety.
Growing it
Zones 8-10. Needs a hot, dry summer and cannot take a hard freeze. Very drought-tolerant once established; fruit must be cured before eating.
Will you get enough chill?
Olive needs roughly 150–300 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.