The dream of delicious figs harvested in your own garden can also come true in our latitudes. The right location and a suitable substrate are important so that the heat-loving plant feels comfortable and numerous fruits ripen.
How to plant a fig tree in the garden?
To plant a fig tree in the garden, choose a full sun, protected location, use winter-hardy varieties and nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Water thoroughly and fertilize regularly during the growing phase for a successful harvest.
A location in full sun is ideal
In order for the sun-hungry fig to thrive, you need to give it a protected location and as much sun as possible. A house wall that stores the warmth of the sunlight and thereby prevents the fig from freezing back too far in the winter months is ideal. A light-flooded courtyard is also suitable, as the fig can thrive here protected from winds.
Prefer winter-hardy varieties
Winter-hardy fig varieties that tolerate short-term temperatures of -15 degrees are ideal for the garden. When choosing, pay attention to the following points:
- Is the tree on offer a real or fake fig? Only real figs produce fruit.
- How productive is the selected variety?
- Since the fig wasp does not survive in our latitudes, the tree must be self-fertile.
- Only plant hardy and very resistant varieties.
However, it is absolutely necessary to provide these robust varieties with sufficient winter protection outdoors.
Soil conditions and planting
Figs prefer nutrient-rich and well-drained soil. Enrich heavy clay soils with humus or sand. A drainage layer is recommended, as the fig is very sensitive to waterlogging.
Place the fig a few centimeters deeper than it sat in the pot. This means the fig grows faster and the sensitive roots are better protected from frost.
Watering the garden fig
Always water the garden fig thoroughly. Like a heavy rain, the plant receives a lot of water all at once and then wait until the soil feels relatively dry before watering again.
Fertilization
Fertilize the garden fig regularly with a suitable fertilizer during the growth phase between April and September (€8.00 on Amazon). In the open field, three times a day of complete fertilizer applications have proven to be effective, which you can supplement with liquid fertilizer in the summer months. A balanced ratio of potassium and phosphorus is important, as these nutrients promote fruit setting and the ripening of figs.
Tips & Tricks
Figs are ideal for espaliering. The attractive leaves are a decoration for every house and in the protection of the wall the figs ripen fully even in cooler summers.
