The Fig Tree Guy

Category: Fig Dormancy

  • The Shed Test: Winter Victory for My Potted Figs

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    The Fig Tree Guy

    Zone 6b, Mid-Hudson Valley, NY.Investing the time to insulate the shed was absolutely worth it. Every single potted fig made it through the brutal New York winter, snow, ice, and all. We endured several nights when temperatures plunged below zero degrees Fahrenheit, the kind of cold that makes you question every gardening decision you’ve ever…

  • Don’t Just Cut—Help the Tree Heal

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    When you prune a tree, it’s often said that you should seal the wound to protect it from future damage. While there are certain pruning cuts that, given time, will heal themselves naturally, many gardeners still believe in giving the tree a little extra help. Not too long ago I blogged about trees properly healing…

  • A Cozy Winter Home for Your Potted Fig

    A Cozy Winter Home for Your Potted Fig

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    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…

  • A Novel Approach to Fig Tree Winter Protection

    A Novel Approach to Fig Tree Winter Protection

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    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…

  • Fig Cuttings with Character

    Fig Cuttings with Character

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    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…

  • Moisture: The Hidden Threat When Winterizing Fig Trees

    Moisture: The Hidden Threat When Winterizing Fig Trees

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    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…

  • Figs love to go dormant

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    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…

  • Getting straw to winterize the potted fig trees

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    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…

  • No dormancy under gentle conditions

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    Evan Panagiotopoulos

    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…