Overwintering fig trees cleverly: How to protect your plants!

Overwintering fig trees cleverly: How to protect your plants!

The cold season is just around the corner and for many hobby gardeners in Cologne that means taking care of protecting their fig trees. The popular plants, which actually come from the mild Mediterranean region, require special attention so that they survive the winter unscathed.

Older, well-rooted trees are often more robust, while young fig trees require more protection. Almost all varieties, including winter-hardy species such as the Bavarian fig, Bornholm fig and the popular 'Brown Turkey', can withstand temperatures down to -15 degrees Celsius. But frost hardiness depends heavily on the variety, age and location, which is why special measures should be taken, especially in regions with permanent frost. [Ruhr24].

Winter quarters for fig trees

Particularly sensitive varieties such as 'Rouge de Bordeaux' should be kept at temperatures between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius. Suitable places are insulated garden sheds, cool winter gardens or unheated rooms. My beautiful garden adds that the fig tree sheds its leaves before winter and only needs a little water during this time. However, the soil should be kept slightly moist. It is advisable for hobby gardeners to leave the tree outdoors for as long as possible because light frosts do not harm the plant.

Certain protective measures for overwintering are essential for planted fig trees: The root area should be covered with mulch made of leaves, straw or brushwood. It is also advisable to wrap the trunk with leaves or straw and to wrap young trees in garden fleece. For older trees, simple crown protection is usually enough to protect them from extreme temperatures. You should also water on frost-free days to prevent the roots from drying out.

The right care in winter

A good choice of location for fig trees is a place protected from the wind on the south side. The plant pot should also be placed on an insulating surface to keep out the cold from below. Extra frost protection can also be added by wrapping straw and leaves in a bag. When the sun shines again after a long winter, it is important to acclimate the plants slowly to avoid sunburn. The perfect time to return outdoors is April to early May. After hibernation, it is important to water and fertilize the fig trees regularly again to give them the best possible start to the warm season.

With these tips in mind, amateur gardeners in Cologne can also be confident that their fig trees will survive the winter well and bear plenty of fruit again next year.