Author: Evan Panagiotopoulos
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A Cozy Winter Home for Your Potted Fig
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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read people’s posts on social media saying they can’t winterize their potted fig(s) because they don’t have a garage, cellar, or shed. My answer is always the same: keep it simple and get a little creative! Take a look at this photo I snapped of the side…
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A Novel Approach to Fig Tree Winter Protection
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Materials you will need: twine, PVC pipes, two for each bed, a hacksaw to cut the PVC pipes to length, also you will need a drill to mae the necessary four holes for each bed. You can easily pick up PVC pipes at your local hardware store. The raised bed I was working on measured…
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Fig Cuttings with Character
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It’s late November here in Zone 6b (Mid-Hudson Valley, NY), and my fig trees have finally gone fully dormant—perfect timing for pruning. As always, trimming day means a bounty of cuttings, and I’m constantly on the lookout for ones that stand out in some special way. The thick cuttings are always my favorites—they root more…
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Moisture: The Hidden Threat When Winterizing Fig Trees
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Under that plastic bag is a pruned Italian Honey (also known as Lattarulla) fig tree, all tucked in for winter. I filled the bag with dry leaves gathered from the property—every single one checked to make sure there wasn’t a trace of moisture. They were perfectly crisp and dry, just what I wanted. My plan…
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Correct Fig Cutting Orientation
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Every year, I root anywhere from 200 to 600 fig cuttings, and I must confess—no matter how careful I am, at least one of them ends up rooted upside down. Once a cutting starts growing that way, it becomes very tricky to fix. Can it be corrected? The answer is YES! However, in most cases,…
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Figs love to go dormant
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Fig trees enter dormancy after they finish producing their main crop. Dormancy is their built-in survival mechanism—a way to conserve energy and protect themselves through the cold months. This quiet period ends only when temperatures rise again in spring (Ref 1). As I write this on November 17th, 2025, here in the Mid-Hudson Valley of…
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Getting straw to winterize the potted fig trees
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This coming week, I’ll be preparing my fig trees for winter, carefully wrapping and insulating them against the cold. To do this, I’ll need plenty of dry material. Along with the beautifully golden straw I recently purchased from a local source, I’ll also use the crisp, dry leaves I gathered from my own backyard.There are…
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No dormancy under gentle conditions
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Zone 6b, nestled in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley, brings its own quiet rhythm to fig growing. My collection of potted fig trees has been braving the chill, remaining outside day and night without a hint of protection. Their leaves have all fallen now, signaling that it’s nearly time for them to retreat to the cozy…
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The Making of my Figgy Farm
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In June of 2025, I decided to buy a structure that would better support my ongoing fig cultivation efforts. Choosing the right type of structure, however, was no easy task. At first, I considered a traditional greenhouse. But after some thought, I realized it wouldn’t be the best fit for my needs. Living in Zone…
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Fencing Your Garden, A Wise Move
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Your garden is a labor of love—whether it’s bursting with vegetables, blooming with flowers, or simply a peaceful retreat from daily life. But even the most beautiful garden can suffer without protection. That’s why installing a fence is more than just a good idea—it’s a wise move. Animals are one of the biggest threats to…