North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["S & E Hills" <ehills7408@wowway.com>]

Actually I disagree slightly with your advice.  I would plant the fig about 1 to 1 ½ feet from the wall.  As the poster lives in zone 5a, it is likely that he/she will want to wrap their fig to help is survive winter damage.  This is easier if the fig is not planted directly against the wall.  1 ½ feet is probably as far away from the wall as I would go though.

 

Just a thought, and as a caveat let me say that Lon certainly knows more than I

 

Scott Hills

 

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From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Lon J. Rombough
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 9:54 AM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] zone 5 figs microclimate

 

Plant the tree right next to the wall of the building and train it as an espalier flat against the wall. The fig will get more heat that way and you'll still have room for your garden. The fig is unlikely to get bigger than the wall, anyway.
-Lon Rombough
Grapes, writing, consulting, my book, The Grape Grower, at http://www.bunchgrapes.com Winner of the Garden Writers Association "Best Talent in Writing" award for 2003.
For even more grape lessons, go to http://www.grapeschool.com
For growing supplies and more; http://www.grapegrowersolutions.com

On Mar 11, 2007, at 7:45 AM, William C. Garthright wrote:

OK, I was looking for a possible planting location for a fig tree (or
bush), and the south side of my garage does get sunlight all day. It is
a VERY small (only 14 feet wide) detached garage, but the south side
faces my house (far enough to get full sun by this time of year). It
also happens to be almost the only place left in my yard where I can put
a small garden in full sun,... but maybe I'd rather have figs, anyway,
right?

If I did this, how far from the garage wall should I plant the fig?

Or I might plant it at the southeast corner of the garage - still full
sun, but giving me a little room to plant something else west of it. I'm
not sure if this would give me the full benefit of the south wall or not
(but none of this area FEELS any warmer in winter, though it's maybe
somewhat protected from the wind). Well, in that case, how far from the
garage should I plant the fig?

Still considering this. Not sure what I'll decide, but I'll definitely
report on my results if I go ahead with it.

Thanks again for all the comments!

Bill
Lincoln, NE (cold zone 5a, heat zone 7)