North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Lon J. Rombough" <lonrom@hevanet.com>]

That's perfectly good advice, Scott.   The main point is that by training the tree against the wall you don't have to sacrifice the garden space and you take advantage of the reflected heat from the side of the building.   There might even be other ways to protect the tree in that location, such as putting a sheet of insulation over the tree, in the fashion of a lean-to.  Fruit explorers are a creative lot that can often find multiple ways to the same end.
-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 2:24 PM, S & E Hills wrote:



<x-tad-bigger>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.</x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger>Just a thought, and as a caveat let me say that Lon certainly knows more than I</x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger>Scott Hills</x-tad-bigger>
<x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger>

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