Growing Figs in CT

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Edible figs are one of the most delicious fruits that you can grow in your CT garden. Because they are native to Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Turkey, they need special care in our area.

 

Edible figs (Ficus carica varieties) are woody shrubs that are hardy to Zone 7 and warmer. In our area, we are Zone 6 and sometimes our winters can get even colder, to -12 degrees. Therefore, the determining factor in whether you want to grow figs is how you will care for them over the winter. That is fully explained below.

 

The first thing you need is a hot, sunny spot. A south facing spot is best, preferably in front of a wall or building to further increase the heat. If you do not have sun, the figs will not ripen in time before winter sets in.

 

The next factor is to decide if you are going to grow figs in a pot or in the ground.

• If you choose to grow them in a pot, use a rich, organic, well drained mix. At Natureworks, we mix 3 parts Organic Mechanics organic potting soil with 1 part Penobscot Blend Coast of Maine compost. Figs have large, vigorous root systems. Depending on the size and age of the fig tree you buy, you will want to be sure it has a large pot to grow in. Repot young fig trees each year, eventually maintaining the older fig trees (6 years +) in 24” pots, half whiskey barrels, or large tubs. The pots must have drainage holes. Once the figs are in the largest pot that you can handle, you should root prune them. Remove them from the pot in the fall before you are about to put them inside for the winter. Cut off the outer layer of roots and let some of the old soil fall away. Repot into the same pot with fresh organic potting soil and compost. Water well.
• You can grow fig trees directly in the ground. Choose a very sunny spot, preferably against a south facing wall of a building, in front of a stone chimney, wall, or foundation. Amend the soil with compost and Pro-Gro organic fertilizer. The benefit of planting in the ground is the very vigorous root system of your fig tree will be able to spread, thus supporting a bigger tree AND providing you with a bigger harvest of fruit. The down side of growing directly in the ground is that it is more work to protect your figs over the winter. (see winter care below)

 

Fig trees in pots are very thirsty plants, especially if they are in need of repotting. During the hottest weeks of the summer, expect to water them thoroughly every day. Fig trees in the ground can tolerate longer dry spells as their roots will seek out water.

Fig trees in pots that are watered daily will need to be fed every two weeks. You can add pinches of Pro-Gro fertilizer to the top of the soil. You can topdress with worm castings. You can water with Neptune’s Harvest fish/seaweed fertilizer.

Fig trees growing in the ground should be fed in the spring with our Magic Formula of compost and Pro-Gro and mulched well. Water with Neptune’s Harvest fish/seaweed fertilizer every few weeks in the growing season to keep the plant roots happy.

 

Pruning figs is an important part of their care. Pruning can be done in the fall or in the very early spring. If you find that in the early spring your fig trees are forming “first figs” (call the breba crop), you may not want to prune them or you will lose those figs which ripen in July. If you have winter tip damage or do not see a breba crop, you can prune your fig trees in the early spring. The main crop is formed on one year old wood that comes off of old wood. Pruning encourages branching and lots of young wood. You can train figs to a tree form or an open shrub/bush form. The main crop of figs will ripen in late summer or early fall. Long, hot summers produce the best crops in CT. Blond figs usually ripen earlier than brown figs.

 

Winter Protection of Fig Trees

 

The first method is to grow figs in pots and bring them into your garage or cellar for the winter. If you bring them into an unheated garage, they will go completely dormant. It is important to check them monthly in the winter and water them if the soil is dry. If you bring them into an attached garage that is heated to 35-45 degrees, or into your cellar, they will drop their leaves and then begin to re-sprout new leaves and buds at the end of the winter.

If your potted figs are stored in an unheated garage, bring them outside after the night temperatures remain above 30 degrees. Temperatures below 20 degrees will kill the new buds. If you store your figs in a heated garage or cellar, do not bring them outside until danger of frost has past. At first, put them in the shade, then gradually move them to full sun once they are acclimated to the outdoors.

If you grow your figs directly in the ground, there are a couple of ways to protect them. Once the leaves have fallen:

1. Traditionally, large fig trees are laid in a trench for the winter. The root system on half of the plant is cut off at the drip line, the plant is laid down horizontally in a trench, then covered with 6” of soil and two feet of leaves.
2. Fig trees can also be wrapped in place. Many materials are used, from sheets of rigid Styrofoam, to wire cages filled with leaves and straw, to plastic tarps and rope. It is critical that wrapped plants have air. Insert tubes into the wrapped figs so air can circulate. Failing to do this will cause fungus to form on the plants which will have to be cut off when unwrapped.

 

 

In an effort to provide horticultural information, these educational documents are written by Nancy DuBrule-Clemente and are the property of Natureworks Horticultural Services, LLC.  You are granted permission to print/photocopy this educational information free of charge as long as you clearly show that these are Natureworks documents.