Protecting In-Ground Figs: Door Method

By Steven Biggs

Grow Figs in Pots or in the Ground?

Alberto with one of his in-ground fig trees.

Mississauga, Ontario fig grower Alberto grows figs in pots, but says that he likes in-ground trees best because they get big.

And bigger trees mean more figs.

Simple Way to Protect In-Ground Figs

He keeps winter protection for his in-ground fig trees simple using old doors. “The neighbours must wonder what I’m doing when I take old doors I see in the garbage,” he says with a laugh.

Insulate the Doors

He attaches a sheet of foam insulation to one side of the door.

Then, in late fall, he bends the trees to the ground. Once they’re flat to the ground, he lays the foam-backed door atop the plant. The door-and-foam combo gives enough winter protection in his growing zone.

Difficult to Tip Fig Trees

When it comes to larger trees that are difficult to tip, even with the soil loosened on one side, Alberto has a tip: Hammer a metal rod into the ground, and then tie the uncooperative tree to it. Tighten it a bit at a time, until the tree is fully tipped over.