By George Weigel/The Patriot-News
Q: I would like to try to grow a fig tree. I live in Lebanon and was told it is somewhat difficult because figs have to be protected during the winter. I'm not sure how to do this. Any help would be appreciated.
A: You are correct that figs aren't normally winter-hardy to central Pennsylvania... but that doesn't stop people from growing them! I know of several Italian families in Hershey who have grown figs for years, using divisions of plants that originally came from Italy.
The key is wrapping and insulating figs heading into winter so the buds don't freeze. Local fig-growers usually use stakes and fencing to build a bin around the plant. They then insulate inside the bin with materials such as fallen leaves, straw, corn husks or even old clothes and blankets. Finally, the entire thing is wrapped tightly in burlap and sturdy plastic, much like a straitjacket. You could also use blankets and a tarp.
Most growers cut back their fig trees before wrapping. This isn't necessary for plant health, but it's much easier to wrap figs that have been "skinnied" and reduced in height down to about chest level. Because of this annual cutback, figs in the North typically grow only 8 to 12 feet tall. Over time, they end up wider than tall as the roots send out new shoots around the perimeter.
Depending on variety, the fruits ripen successively from around mid-September through frost. Fruits turn from green to purplish-brown when ripe and are shaped like mini-pears of 1 to 2 inches in size.
Figs like alkaline soil (achieved by adding lime), are seldom bothered by bugs and disease and are fairly drought-resistant, although occasional deep watering and fertilizing with a high-phosphorus fertilizer improves the fruit yield.
I think you'll find the work is worth the effort. I've got one in my back yard and can tell you that ripe figs right off the tree is a delicacy that few Americans know. They're way better than the pasty stuff used in Fig Newtons.
By the way, if you want to see a fig wrapped for winter, check out the one in Hershey Gardens' herb area later this fall.