What type of compost...

[NeurotreeWenceslas]

Would be closest to garden soil?

I have to plant up a new olive tree in an container and have been told to use garden soil.

No where near enough in the garden, is there a type of compost that's similar? John innes number...?

I’d certainly go with JI, which is loam-based - probably no. 3 if it’s going to be in a pot for a long time.

Thanks, is loam basically garden soil then? They specifically said not compost

Yes John innes no 3. It’s for more mature plants. Don’t mix it with garden soil you don’t want the weeds.

You can also buy top soil from garden centres.

Are you in the UK?

The trouble with using garden soil is that it comes with weed seeds, pests and diseases, and the structure will break down eventually and be no good. Who told you to use ordinary soil?

I agree with others, you need to use John Innes No3, which is specifically designed for the long-term planting of shrubs in containers. I'd also suggest, since it is an olive, that you need to mix some horticultural grit into it for additional drainage.

The olive tree supplier, who seem to know their stuff. They're working on the basis of how olives grow in the wild, plus we've put a tree in the actual garden, so in soil, anyway!

It's more about how to maintain the pot. I had one in a pot for years and transplanted it into the garden about a year ago where Its finally looking happier; now I know more about feeding etc (may onwards, tomato feed) I'm going to put it back into a bigger pot.

Yes I wondered about grit, I'm going to put a big layer at the bottom.

They said garden soil holds the water better in pots. Although they can cope in droughts obviously pots can completely dry. Apparently they also cope better in the winter if there's some moisture.

It's a very bushy low wide olive bush. So lots of leaves to loose water through.

Thanks for the clarification on ten compost all!