Spanish explorers introduced fig trees to Florida in 1575.
Figs are hardy tropical trees that withstand temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit without injury if they've gone dormant by the time winter starts. But even if they suffer winter damage, fig trees usually regrow from the roots after dying to the ground. Increase your chances of an uneventful winter by planting the hardiest varieties, such as Brunswick and brown turkey. In addition, grow your fig tree in the warmest site you can find in your yard, against a wall radiating heat, for instance. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Fertilize your fig tree from the end of winter until late July. Suspend fertilization to give the plant enough time to stop growing and enter dormancy before frosty weather starts.
2. Build a frame with three or four 6-foot fence posts hammered into the ground around your fig tree. Nail a piece of carpet or burlap on the fence posts to create a screen against winter wind and to provide insulation from the cold. Remove it in spring. This option is viable for young trees, as mature ones reach 30 to 50 feet in height.
3. Irrigate your fig tree regularly until fall. Suspend the water when the growing season ends to harden the tree off for the winter. In winter, water the tree to the root zone every two weeks if the season is particularly dry.
Tags: your tree, fence posts
