I have many potted fig trees, in various states of maturity. I see some people put their fig trees in a garage or unheated greenhouse for the winter. I have a garage if it is necessary to protect some, but I rather not bring bigger ones into the garage. Any information for protection requirements and methods would be helpful.
They should survive outside, but die to the ground and sprout back is the likely outcome if not protected. Hardiest ones might be ok in z. 8. I know
of some in Charlotte NC that have been growing for years.
Here in z 6b they die to the ground.
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If it’s going to get much below 20F at any point I’d haul them in; a large, fully dormant potted specimen, if protected from winds, should be able to tolerate upper teens/lower twenties without any major wood loss. Wouldn’t risk any small ones, of course. Also, anything that’s not yet dormant, or only starting to enter dormancy, shouldn’t be subjected to any sudden drops below 25F. Figs, like many plants, enter dormancy gradually, and temps that won’t faze them when they’re fully asleep will cause major wood loss when they’ve still got some “juice” in them.
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As blueberry writes, it depends. I’m z7b. At first I did significant wrapping and storage under a porch for various varieties. Over time I just started leaving them outside with no protection near the house foundation, so they get a little protection from the wind. So far nothing has frozen back but it would be dependent on the microclimate, variety, dormancy when cold hits, good drainage, age, lowest temperature, length of that cold, etc. If you want to be certain protect them. I’m lazy and have not had any of them freeze but your mileage may vary. A search will bring up many different kinds of protection folks use. Good luck with it and let us know what you decide to do and how it turns out!
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I am unsure of the variety, but others in my neighborhood have mature in ground trees that don’t freeze back. They are fairly common here, but I don’t know how much the pots will affect their hardiness.
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I think I may leave the mature ones out and the little ones in the garage. I will update as it will be 22 tonight! Here is an example of a mature fig I bought a month or so back.
They are all rated to zone 7 and 8, but I’m sure pots may have an affect on that.
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In the garage do they need much care besides maybe a monthly watering?
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I moved mine indoors yesterday morning. It got to 9 and it’s 8 right now…
but, seeing as we have close to 8 inches snow…in hindsight, I’d have left them out!
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It has gotten cold here too. Our December was pretty warm, and even new years day was in the upper 60’s, I think it may have even hit 70. I even harvested raspberries at the end of December! After the storm hit here in Virginia some wicked cold came with it.
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In dormant storage they need absolutely nothing—not even light. As far as water: just make sure the rootballs don’t dry out completely to avoid root damage. I sometimes give mine a cup of water at midwinter—and sometimes (if they were pretty moist when I put them away) no water at all. I would think monthly watering would be unnecessary and possibly damaging.
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Thanks for the tips!
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How could Virginia be Zone 8a?
On the USDA map, Southeast VA (like Va Beach) looks like it just makes it into the zone 8 region.
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On the southeastern coast there is a portion in zone 8a. Additionally on the eastern shore, the peninsula that isn’t attached directly to Virginia, that is mostly zone 8a.
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Where I live is supposed to be 7b, and if the potted fig trees are up against the house they get no frost damage, yet upper teens is the coldest that I have tried doing this. It’s amazing the difference the warmth from a heated building. As the trees age in a pot they get more cold hardy, just like they do in the ground.
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My porch is on the eastern side of the home, and it seems like it does warm it . I had a tree air layer potted against the brick and it didn’t Go dormant until January. I’m sure my southern wall is warmer though.
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Just adding as what Jeremiah told you, I didn’t add moisture over the winter when I stored them early on. Depends if they have a sealed habitat with some kind of heating where they might dry out versus regular ambient humidity. I actually think the wet cold early spring is the hardest on the in-ground figs I have so I’d be careful not to get them too moist. I think it is a good plan you have to protect the yougest or more tender and leave out the rest.
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Ok, I’ll watch out for that! A few are slightly damp, and the others I cant tell because the top of the soil is frozen solid.
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