I’m planning to do the step over method. Est. last frost: May 15. What should the temp of the soil be to plant out figs that are leafed out already?
Not sure on the exact temp, but I would wait at least until early June, then there will be no chance of a late freeze. Your front-range right? The last few times I grew out fig cuttings I started them in bags inside on Memorial Day and plant them in my garden as soon as roots started forming so ~ June 10-15 and they do great. So easy.
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I’m not worried about a freeze, they will be in greenhouse conditions. I’m just worried about the temp. of the soil because I have not put plastic on the hoops yet. Thanks for your input all the same. I can still consider your experience with the figs that I’m planning on planting unprotected.
The hardiest part of figs is their roots which can survive to 0F whereas stem is about 20F. So I don’t see an issue here. I would plant around your frost date to avoid leaf issues, the roots are fine for planting right now. I’m in 6a too I planted one tree a few days ago. Even though we still have 2 freezes coming. Which will probably kill any leaves but plant will be just fine. Not suggested in general to plant this early, but I don’t care about it producing this year, it was planted to see how it does under severe conditions. I only grow one plant ion ground, these additional ones are experiments. I don’t really want the plant. My one plant is still covered until Thursday when I plan to uncover.
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Were the leaves affected by the frosts? I just started planting some of mine last night as an experiment. I planted 2 Chicago Hardy, 2 Syrian Dark, and 2 Abou George.
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Usually leaves or growing stems will be damaged by frosts and hard freezes. One year old wood will be undamaged. It sets fig back enough that I try not to expose growing plants to freezes or frosts. A few of mine were hit they will be fine but I will lose time now and that sucks.
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