Prepping fig trees for spring | Fig Tree Maintenance

As the long, cold winter comes to an end and the first hints of spring begin to appear, it's time to start thinking about prepping your fig trees for the new growing season.

In this article, I’ll provide you with tips and techniques for proper fig tree maintenance, from thinning out new shoots to providing adequate nutrients and water, to pest control, soil preparation, and even propagation. So, grab your gardening gloves, and let's get started!

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Uncovering Fig Trees

Uncovering fig trees after winter is a crucial step in the process of growing healthy and fruitful figs for the upcoming growing season. The timing of this process depends on several factors, such as location, weather conditions, and the specific method used for winter protection. As the end of February approaches and the weather starts to warm up, it's important to consider when to uncover your fig trees. It's important to uncover them as soon as the weather permits because a longer time undercover can lead to rot or mold.

To read more about uncovering and unwrapping your fig trees, check out those detailed articles.

Aiding the Wake-Up Process

Helping to wake up your fig tree from dormancy is a great way to get an early start to the growing season. Fig trees naturally are one of the last fruiting plants to wake up in the spring. As a result, it’s not uncommon to have a stubborn fig tree that refuses to wake up!

The key is to provide your fig tree with as much warmth and sunlight as possible to increase the tree’s soil temperature. It’s also a great idea to rehydrate the roots by saturating the soil with water.

To help warm the soil, remove excess layers of mulch in the spring that cool the soil down, consider using black plastic mulch, and definitely choose black containers when growing in pots. You can also at planting time, plant your fig trees higher above grade in a raised mound or berm, and place stone, large rocks, and other thermodynamic materials nearby to raise ambient temperatures. Planting your fig tree near structures can also provide additional thermodynamic heating to help raise soil temperatures.