Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>]

Barb came across this piece from the U.K. on figs. Anyone have advice or
experience?

paul tradingpost@lobo.net
--------------------

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/main.jhtml?xml=/gardening/2007/07/27/ga
rden-grow-fig127.xml
How to grow figs

Last Updated: 12:01am BST 27/07/2007
John Cushnie offers his tips on growing figs
        
Ficus carica, or 'Brown Turkey' fig
Rich pickings: Ficus carica, also known as the 'Brown Turkey' fig

Adam and Eve may have found that the leaves of the fig spared their
blushes, but it's the fruit that gets me excited.

There is little better than the fig tree's produce, so fresh it is still
warm from the sun, straight from your garden. Dried figs are equally
nutritious: if you have a bumper crop then dry some of the fruit in a hot
press or drying cupboard. If you turn them daily they will be preserved in
six to eight days.

The best variety of fig tree to go for is Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey',
whose fruit ripen in late August, and have a reddish-brown skin, red flesh
and a sweet flavour.

You can also try F. carica 'Brunswick', which ripens a few weeks earlier,
and whose greeny-yellow skinned fruit have a sweet tasting pink flesh. F.
carica 'White Marseilles' ripens in early September with fruit that have a
light-green skin and green flesh.


Growing tips

A fig tree will succeed best in a sheltered position in full sun. A south
or south-west facing wall is ideal for growing and training a fan-shaped
fig - use horizontal wires fixed to the wall 45cm (18in) apart.

It is essential that the roots are contained and not allowed to spread.
Left to its own devices, the tree will make vigorous growth at the expense
of a good crop of fruit. There are two ways to restrict the root run.

Grow the tree in a 45cm (18in) diameter pot of soil-based compost. Keep the
top of the soil 7cm-10cm (3in-4in) below the rim of the pot to allow an
annual spring top-up with compost, as well as to facilitate watering and
feeding. Either plunge the pot into the soil against the wall or keep it
above ground. That way, you have the advantage of being able to move it to
a sheltered spot during severe weather.

Alternatively, plant into the soil at the base of the wall where the root
run is restricted to a planting pit that is 60cm by 60cm (2ft by 2ft) and
60cm (2ft) deep. Dig the hole directly in front of the wall, bearing in
mind that it involves a lot of digging and several barrow-loads of soil.

Line the three open sides of the hole with 60cm (2ft) square concrete
paving slabs stood upright, so, with the wall, they form a 60cm (2ft)
square box. Add 15cm (6in) of broken bricks or clean stone to the base of
the hole for drainage.

Fill the pot or planting hole with soil-based compost or sterilised topsoil
with a layer of well-rotted farmyard manure or compost in the base, and
plant the fig at the same depth as previously grown.

With the roots of the fig confined to a small area it will be essential to
water the tree, especially during summer when the fruit is swelling and
remember to net the tree early, to prevent birds stealing the crop. The
figs are ready to pick when the fruit droops on its stalk and the skin is
well coloured. If the skin cracks open it is fully ripe and you may notice
a drop of nectar.

Pruning

Prune established trees in June, shortening all the side shoots back to
five leaves from the main framework of branches. In September, remove any
fruit larger than small pea size. The remaining tiny, embryo fruit towards
the ends of the shoots will over-winter and, providing they have protection
from icy blasts, will ripen the following year.

Prune the tree in late spring, removing shoots and buds that are pointing
inwards, as well as those pointing directly out from the wall, and any
growths damaged by late frost. Remove debris and prunings, and apply a 10cm
(4in) deep layer of farmyard manure over the root area.

When the fruit starts to swell apply a high-potash liquid feed such as
tomato fertiliser weekly.

Propagation

Figs are easily propagated by layering. Bend a suitably low branch to the
ground and where it meets the soil, wound the stem by cutting part way
through. Loosen the soil and add compost.

Peg the branch down using U-shaped pins and bend wires either side of the
wounded area. Cover with more soil, water the ground and place a flat stone
on top.

Within 12 months you will have a well-rooted large layer. Cut the branch on
the tree side and pot up or plant out your new fig tree.

Where to buy

Reads Nursery, Hales Hall, Loddon, Norfolk (01508 548395;
www.readsnursery.co.uk).

Cotswold Garden Flowers, Sands Lane, Badsey, Evesham (0138649671;
www.cgf.net).

Wisley Plant Centre, RHS Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey (01483 211113;
www.rhs.org.uk).

Cool Temperate, 39 Maple Avenue, Beeston, Nottinghamshire (0115 9170416;
www.cooltemperate.co.uk).