Inground Project zone 4-5

[Vitooch1]

@Vitooch1 What are the approximate dimensions of the base of the fig coffin?

I made it tight 12 x 12. I wanted to contain the tree this way the heated coil doesn’t have to work hard to heat the box.

 

[Saw-whet]

Thanks for the response @Vitooch1
If one wanted to try the lower tech method (dry soil) you used for your Dad would a larger base be advisable? Also, how to you avoid condensation, and maybe mold, with your method? Or maybe that isn't even a concern. Thanks.

 

[Vitooch1]

Thanks for the response @Vitooch1
If one wanted to try the lower tech method (dry soil) you used for your Dad would a larger base be advisable? Also, how to you avoid condensation, and maybe mold, with your method? Or maybe that isn't even a concern. Thanks.

I just make sure I do the winterizing preparation on a nice dry day before I close it off. I don’t really worry so much about condensation . Air always leaks in and escapes. It’s not a completely 100% tight sealed box. I just worry about keeping the temperature between 3-10

 

[Saw-whet]

Thank you @Vitooch1 I hadn't been planning on planting any fig trees in ground here in Massachusetts but your method has caused me to reconsider.

 

[TorontoJoe]

Thank you @Vitooch1 I hadn't been planning on planting any fig trees in ground here in Massachusetts but your method has caused me to reconsider

I write this tentatively..... because many in cold climates are hesitant to grow in the ground. All I can say is that this is how the old Europeans have done it with protection. Also, even here I have never had any tree in a container produce as many figs and grow as large as the ones in the ground. Trees just, grow better in the ground... no matter how much of a PITA it is in some places.

 

[Vitooch1]

I write this tentatively..... because many in cold climates are hesitant to grow in the ground. All I can say is that this is how the old Europeans have done it with protection. Also, even here I have never had any tree in a container produce as many figs and grow as large as the ones in the ground. Trees just, grow better in the ground... no matter how much of a PITA it is in some places.

I agree 100 percent. This will be my year of success with loads of figs. Took me 4 seasons to get this right.

 

[Saw-whet]

@TorontoJoe That makes perfect sense. Growing in ground is natural, growing in a pot is not. Hopefully I won't just be all talk about planting a tree in ground.
@Vitooch1 On the fig coffins filled with soil, did you still put in a concrete base?

 

[TorontoJoe]

@TorontoJoe That makes perfect sense. Growing in ground is natural, growing in a pot is not. Hopefully I won't just be all talk about planting a tree in ground.
@Vitooch1 On the fig coffins filled with soil, did you still put in a concrete base?

It’s work for sure. I can’t think of anyone who’s ever regretted trying. I wouldn’t depend on it exclusively, but a worst case scenario is it dies to the ground and comes back. Learn and repeat….

 

[SpiritFarmVa]

I write this tentatively..... because many in cold climates are hesitant to grow in the ground. All I can say is that this is how the old Europeans have done it with protection. Also, even here I have never had any tree in a container produce as many figs and grow as large as the ones in the ground. Trees just, grow better in the ground... no matter how much of a PITA it is in some places.

The book history and culture of fig (something like that) describes the burying method used quite well. Entire orchards were done this way.

 

[MFJFIGS]

I couldn’t agree more. I have same varieties, with cuttings taken from the same mother tree, planted and potted side by side. Potted doesn’t come anywhere near Planted.
In ground trees are far much healthier & better looking (trunk, branches, and leaves). Far more productive, tastier, larger and better quality fruits.

Also, since soil in the ground stays warm well into the fall, the season is longer and fruits continue to ripen (this year we were picking figs well into the end of October, early November, here in zone 6b, MA. Our potted trees lost their leaves three weeks before planted trees.

 

[TorontoJoe]

I’ve been playing with watering the roots with warm water in the spring to try and wake them up earlier. I think it helps but it’s a difficult thing to measure.

 

[Vitooch1]

If my Celeste tree dies to the ground for a 5th yr in a row...I may be copying your coffin Vito.
Right next to my unprotected Mt. Etna which suffered barely any damage...yet this thing keeps freeze drying on me.

You might wanna try out my method pal. I got some great results this season. I unboxed my box to see how it went and tree looks alive and well.

 

[ktrain]

You might wanna try out my method pal. I got some great results this season. I unboxed my box to see how it went and tree looks alive and well. View attachment 6217

I have indeed been checking out this method, its a good one for sure!
It (my Celeste) seemed to have done well, but it could do better.
This may be the way I go, appreciate the pics to show the in and out.

 

[Vitooch1]

I have indeed been checking out this method, its a good one for sure!
It (my Celeste) seemed to have done well, but it could do better.
This may be the way I go, appreciate the pics to show the in and out.

If you do this method make sure to have a thermostat controller hooked up to the coil

 

[ktrain]

I

If you do this method make sure to have a thermostat controller hooked up to the coil

think I have one, from the last green house I had, Just have to find it. lol

 

[Vitooch1]

It’s official I removed the box and concrete, a tap with a hammer in 10 min box was removed. I’m gonna leave the tree in the open from now on and see where it goes. I left the wire wrapped around the tree this way I’ll put a concrete tarp over it to keep it above from freezing. Incase temps it below freezing which I doubt I’ll just simply plug it in and tarp quickly. The tree is in great shape and it’s already budding out.

 

[GilaMonster]

Hi guys, some of you may or not know me from other forums but I always like to show some of my strategies on winterizing my inground trees.i learned a few tricks from great members but I always thought maybe I can make something better and easier. The coffin method has always worked for me.

Here I have a fig tree that’s been in the ground for about 3 years in fact I had another side to side and decided to remove it to focus on the most strongest tree. I’ve always used a fig coffin method cut the tree down to 12’ inches boxed it in and added a heated coil. It worked but it always focused on growth then produced figs at the end of the season. Now, I’m using the same approach but keeping the growth. I chose 4 main leaders and covered them with noodles. I made a base and poured 1” inch of concrete around the trunk to prevent rodents from entering. The box is insulated with 1” inch foam all around with a single heated coil just to provide perfect warm. I’ve always used this method except I chopped the trees down to 12 inches now it’s 65 inches at height. I think this idea might pay off. Hope this will inspire some of you to get creative with easier methods. Good luck guys let me know what you think.
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https://ibb.co/DfVfJDb Click for original
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Wow I'm impressed I love seeing creative solutions on this forum

 

[Vitooch1]

Vitto visible controls throughout the winter 2 in of gravel and 1-in cement for rodent vole mole and whoever would like to get in your warm coffin during the winter. Everything you've done is a genius idea. Including having portable coffins for those with no storage space. As so many of our members are overwhelmed looking for insulated space. Plus with portable coffins no winter Shuffle, and no spring Shuffle. Just warm, and safe from freezing all winter long

Yup and it worked, hope you’ll try it out.

 

[Vitooch1]

Have you always wrapped each limb in the foam noodles?
Have you ever put moth balls in the box to fight off the rodents?

It’s just an extra protective layer and I don’t need rodent deterrent I sealed the bottom with concrete and it works.

 

[Vitooch1]

Thanks for the response @Vitooch1
If one wanted to try the lower tech method (dry soil) you used for your Dad would a larger base be advisable? Also, how to you avoid condensation, and maybe mold, with your method? Or maybe that isn't even a concern. Thanks.

So I unravelled the box filled with dry soil and got good news . This one year old inground actually survived. Just wanted to give you a heads up on its progress.