| I live in the Northeast where the Winters can be Cold & Snow covered. I would like to know the proper procedure for covering of a fig tree in cold weather. I'm getting different answers from everyone I ask. I DO remember my Grandfather covering his fig tree with some sort of breathable canvas, and he had his trees for many ,many years. Can you help me? |
| Just how much winter protection it will need depends on how bad of a winter you have and the microclimate it is growing in near you home. Around a home there are several different microclimates based on such factors as how close to the home they are, which compass direction from the home they are, whether the location is sunny or shady in winter, etc. Some gardeners will cut the roots on one side and lay the plant over where it can be more easily covered with leaves and a tarp for winter protection. A slightly less effective but much easier option is to cut the fig bush back to a more manageable height and place a ring of wire fencing around it. Then fill the ring with lots of leaves and cover the entire structure with a tarp to hold in the warmth of the earth. Simply wrapping the plant with some blankets will usually not provide enough protection, as it does not trap much heat to protect the tender fig buds and branches. Remove the tarp and leaves (leave some as a mulch around the tree) in spring when the danger of a freeze is past. Thanks for the question. Please stop in again soon! |
