Question
We live in New York and were given a fig tree this fall. We were told to hibernate it indoors in a cool place. Then it would bear figs next year. I guess at that time, we could put it outside?
How do we care for it in the winter?
Our house gets very little sun (4 hours a day), but I have put it in that sunniest window. All the bottom leaves have fallen off. Is this "Hibernating"? There are new leaves at the top. There are 5 stems total.
Our house is heated with wood, so temperatures vary from 55 to 70.
Do I still water it? How frequently? Fertilizer?
Pruning? How? When?

Answer
Hi Karen,

Many New Yorkers, especially in Italian and Greek neighborhoods, grow their Fig trees in the ground. They prune them back sharply in the fall and then wrap the remaining stems with burlap and plastic to protect them from severe cold. Figs will withstand temps down close to zero degrees F. Of course, they go dormant when faced with these cold winter temps.

As an alternative, you can keep them indoors in winter, BUT temps must be kept in the 40-50 degree F. range and that is very difficult to do. In their native habitats, Fig trees experience cool winters in the 30-40 degree range on average and require those cool temps to produce figs the following summer. This is hard to duplicate in New York.

Unless you can have a cold room or garage in your home, you are probably better off wrapping your Fig and keeping it outside for the winter, which is what most New Yorkers do. Unfortunately, you are now halfway through the winter and your tree has been exposed to warm temps for several winter months. That means you may not get fruit next summer.

Because it is already past mid January, you probably should now keep it indoors. If you keep it indoors, prune it back sharply and keep it as cool as possible. Cool temps are more important than light. Water it sparingly, just enough to keep it alive. Do not fertilize it. Your goal is to keep the tree minimally alive through the winter until you can move it back outside in the spring. Next fall you can re-consider your options as to keeping it outside or inside.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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