Tracey wrote:

Hi All. I have a standard olive tree growing in a pot on our balcony
(south-facing & we are in N. Derbyshire) and am wondering what to do as the
colder weather approaches - I would hate to lose it as it is doing so well.
Would it be best to bring inside or leave it outside but provide frost
protection or will it be ok just left as it is? If frost protection is
required how do I best go about this?

Mine live outside against a S facing wall in N Yorkshire. I do lose a
few tips of branches each year to the winter weather, but it always
grows back again. If you are worried add some bubble wrap around the pot
and a thin horticultural fleece over the top. Free air movement and dry
(ie not waterlogged) roots are probably more important than frost.
Continental climates are cold dry. An unheated porch is another place to
over winter them.

I reckon it might be worth putting them in a cold greenhouse in March so
that they get a longer growing season of warmth. Left outside mine
sometimes don't come back into full leaf and active growth until July.

I have never had a ripe olive - although some years they set fruit.

Regards,
Martin Brown