When watering a newly planted fig tree, direct the water away from the base of the trunk. In fact, this is good practice for any tree. In this case, the fig tree came in a two-gallon pot, so after planting it in the raised bed, I watered it around the imaginary circle created by the edge of the pot. This is where the young feeder roots are located and where the water will do the most good.
Before planting, I loosened the roots that had begun to girdle around the bottom of the root ball. I then placed the tree in a hole just deep enough to accommodate the root ball. I made sure the root flare, the point where the main trunk meets the roots and begins to widen, sat slightly above the surface of the raised bed. Planting at the proper depth is essential for a healthy tree.
Then I created a shallow basin around the root ball. Now, when I water the tree, the water collects in this basin and slowly soaks into the soil, reaching the roots just a few inches below the surface instead of running off or pooling against the trunk.
Finally, I covered the area around the tree with about a one-inch layer of fresh grass clippings to help retain moisture and regulate the soil temperature, and reduce weeds. Ideally, I’d like to add a thick layer of hay, but despite my best intentions, I keep finding excuses not to make a trip to the local farm for a bale.
This beautiful white Greek fig tree, Aspro Vasiliko, was generously gifted to me about two months ago. It has settled-in beautifully and is already showing excellent growth. I’m excited to watch it mature and become another treasured addition to my ever-growing fig collection.
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Stay tuned, keep on rootin’ and happy growing!
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