How to hide figs for the winter in 3 steps

Preliminary work

Fig, or fig tree, belongs to the thermophilic fruit crops of the Mulberry family, which bear fruit at the very beginning of autumn under conditions of a favorable microclimate. This plant is considered to be very demanding on growing conditions and care features. In order for a tree to bear fruit abundantly and please with a rich harvest of tasty and juicy fruits, you will have to make a lot of efforts. It is important to know how to prepare a thermophilic fruit crop for the coming frosts.

Preparing figs for winter begins immediately after harvest. With the arrival of autumn, the frequency of watering decreases. The plant is moistened only when there is no rain. In case of heavy rainfall, it is better to close the trunk circle with plastic wrap. Excess moisture in the soil can lead to rotting of the root system.

Crown pruning is a mandatory procedure for preparing figs for wintering. The shoots are shortened so that they easily bend to the ground. In some regions - in Siberia and the Urals - branches are cut almost completely.

Autumn is the time for fertilizing plants with mineral fertilizers and mulching the soil. A layer of mulch allows the root to "breathe", absorb moisture and feed on the beneficial and nutrients that are in the soil.

Video "Shelter of Figs for the Winter"

In this video, you will learn how figs are prepared for winter.

Three steps for cover

The preparation of a thermophilic fruit tree for wintering depends on the climatic characteristics of the growing region. An incorrectly chosen shelter technology can lead to irreversible consequences: figs will not be able to fully recover after winter.

Let's figure out how to properly prepare a fig tree for the upcoming cold and cold weather:

Step 1: laying branches on the ground

2-3 weeks after harvesting, the soil in the trunk circle is well moistened. After a few days, they begin to bend the branches of the fig tree to the ground. This procedure must be performed carefully and carefully so as not to injure the plant. The bending process is performed in several stages, maintaining an interval of 4–5 days between them. Branches bent to the ground are fixed with twine with wooden pegs or metal hairpins-arcs.

Step 2: warming the plant

With the onset of the first frost, fig branches are wrapped with covering material. To insulate a thermophilic fruit crop, you can use agrofibre, dense non-woven material or canvas, lutrasil, burlap, white polypropylene bags. It is not recommended to use waterproof and synthetic materials that do not allow air to pass through and create a greenhouse effect inside.

Step 3: fixing the shelter

To eliminate the likelihood of branches rising, you need to fix the covering material with wooden boards or pegs, building materials, stones, or sprinkle it with earth. The best option for hiding figs for the winter is to make a wooden box.

How to cover a tree

When choosing seedlings, it is necessary to take into account the varietal characteristics of the crops and the weather conditions of the growing regions.

In Crimea and Kuban, varieties Nikitsky, Crimean black, Brown Turkey, Commune, Early gray, Abkhaz violet, etc. are massively grown. For the climate of Krasnodar and Stavropol, such varieties of figs are suitable as Dalmatsky, Brunswik, Corderia, Braunschweig, Smirnensky, Kadota, Magnolia and San Pedro.

In the coldest regions of Russia, where the air temperature practically does not rise above zero in winter, it is very difficult to cultivate thermophilic fruit crops. Experienced gardeners say that in order for the fig tree to survive the cold and frosty winters, most of the branches of the current season need to be cut. In Siberia and the Urals, it will not be possible to grow this crop in its original form. After trimming the crown, the fig tree is covered with matting or reed mats. It is necessary to insulate heat-loving crops carefully; in severe frosts, it is recommended to pour a layer of dry earth over the covering material and spread the spruce branches.

In the Moscow region and central Russia, some summer residents do not cover the fig tree branches, insulating only the tree trunk. According to reviews, figs do not suffer from cold and frost, since they have the ability to revive from the root collar. This version of the fig tree shelter is highly questionable. Therefore, most gardeners prefer to cover figs for the winter with dense non-woven materials, agrofibre, spruce twigs, foam and even car tires cut into strips.

Answering the question of how to insulate figs for the winter, it is worth noting that this culture is intended for the south. However, with proper care and careful preparation for wintering, it can be successfully cultivated in other climatic zones.