Help with growing figs in containers in snow country.

allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 728

Anyone have success with growing figs in containers in snow country?

If so, where do you store the containers in the winter?

My garage varies from 45 to 60 degress and may be too warm. If they are kept too warm wont the tree keep growing and demand sun?

I have a shed that gets down to the low 20's. Is that too cold to store em?

Fishman

Low 20s are fine depending on the variety. Chicago Hardy, Celeste and Brown Turkey will handle 20s with no problem. How cold do you get? Some folks wrap the fig in burlap and leave outside for lower temps.

allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 728

TheDoctor · Tar Sands Joined: Jan 27, 2008 Posts: 20

I used to bring them indoors to the unheated basement (~55F) when it got too cold. SE MI - we often get to 0F and sometimes more than -10F. They always sprouted leaves by mid-winter indoors though and then I had to keep them under lites (not cost effective obviously). I would get a few fruit in the spring. Two winters ago I kept them in my chicken coop that never got below ~30F (well insulated). Trees didn't sprout until spring, but both pretty much died off for some reason - no fruit. This winter I left them outdoors to die, and they did. Good riddance. Not worth the effort for me.

The books say wrap em in burlap and bury them for the winter and cover the ground above in thick mulch. I was too lazy to ever try that. Makes sense that it should work though.....

SILENTTODD

When I leave Southern California, Figs are something I will definitely miss. So Cal was the promised land for Fig lovers. I use to have two fully laden trees/ bushes (you'll get arguments over this) where I once had a home in Montclair California.

If California wasn't already way beyond its carrying capacity, Figs might be an inducement to stay here. Who ever in the future survives the culling process of population decline in So Cal, Figs will be a golden reward!
_________________
Skeptical scrutiny in both Science and Religion is the means by which deep thoughts are winnowed from deep nonsense-Carl Sagan

WisJim

I have read of people raising figs in zone 5 and maybe zone 4, wrapping them and moving them into a garage over winter. There has been discussion off and on at the NAFEX (north American Fruit Explorers) list--I think that search would find the site. I don't recall particulars as I am not currently considering growing figs, although I like them--too many other projects at the moment.

allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 728

Thanks for the help.

WisJim

NAFEX Fig page