Gladstone1969
Active member
I will improve this work-in-progress post with pictures and better descriptions/links/videos as this season continues. I’m posting this now so you get the idea before the real cold arrives. So the KISS Winterization method is all about minimizing the time/cost to winterize, keeping trees small and minimizing their footprint, maximizing density and productivity for small trees (e.g. getting both Breba and main crop where possible), and reducing the time to first fruit by a few weeks. I’ve done this for two years now with great results.
I cannot take full credit for this method as I’ve (ahem) “stolen” parts of this mainly from: @gardenabitdifferently on YouTube (June 14, 2022):
.
I’ve seen several folks use closed cell foam with Mylar and of course tarps. Gardenabitdiffently is in zone 6A in Poland and gets Breba and main crop from in ground trees.
1. Let your tree grow! After harvesting abundant fruit (hopefully), fall frosts, and trees enter dormancy it’s time to winterize.
2. KEEP A DECENT NUMBER OF LOW-TO-THE-GROUND LIGNIFIED BRANCHES/SUCKERS INTACT. These will be your bearers of Brebas and main crop figs.
3. This is where I differ from many folks. Cut wood OLDER THAN 1 YEAR down to a few nodes above ground (you can cut some to the ground if you wish and if you don’t want to add a tarp later and don’t mind a big tree you can skip cutting larger trunks).
4. Use stakes (or other methods) to hold the 1 year old branches to the ground.
5. Cover the branches with wood mulch to a minimum depth of 4” (I prefer 6”-8”). Others have said they use leaves, straw, etc., but I haven’t experimented with those materials.
6. (Optional for colder climates depending on how KISS you want to be):
a) Cover the mulched branches with a tarp with LIGHT color facing out (to minimize cooking your trees on a random hot sunny day). I use a silver sided tarp (brown/silver - to be explained later)
b) (additional option) Cover this with Mylar coated foam insulation. See pictures below where I protected more than 45 trees in ground in 7a (note to self - insert link to material here).
c) Stake or weigh down the tarps, insulation and/or cover edges with mulch to keep it from blowing off.
Drink lots of coffee, spiced wine, and eat lots of turkey and ham (or other cured meats - see @torontojoe) while spending time with loved ones in front of the fireplace for 3-5 months.
In late winter/early spring (to be continued…)
Click for original
Click for original
Click for original
Click for original
Click for original
I cannot take full credit for this method as I’ve (ahem) “stolen” parts of this mainly from: @gardenabitdifferently on YouTube (June 14, 2022):
I’ve seen several folks use closed cell foam with Mylar and of course tarps. Gardenabitdiffently is in zone 6A in Poland and gets Breba and main crop from in ground trees.
1. Let your tree grow! After harvesting abundant fruit (hopefully), fall frosts, and trees enter dormancy it’s time to winterize.
2. KEEP A DECENT NUMBER OF LOW-TO-THE-GROUND LIGNIFIED BRANCHES/SUCKERS INTACT. These will be your bearers of Brebas and main crop figs.
3. This is where I differ from many folks. Cut wood OLDER THAN 1 YEAR down to a few nodes above ground (you can cut some to the ground if you wish and if you don’t want to add a tarp later and don’t mind a big tree you can skip cutting larger trunks).
4. Use stakes (or other methods) to hold the 1 year old branches to the ground.
5. Cover the branches with wood mulch to a minimum depth of 4” (I prefer 6”-8”). Others have said they use leaves, straw, etc., but I haven’t experimented with those materials.
6. (Optional for colder climates depending on how KISS you want to be):
a) Cover the mulched branches with a tarp with LIGHT color facing out (to minimize cooking your trees on a random hot sunny day). I use a silver sided tarp (brown/silver - to be explained later)
b) (additional option) Cover this with Mylar coated foam insulation. See pictures below where I protected more than 45 trees in ground in 7a (note to self - insert link to material here).
c) Stake or weigh down the tarps, insulation and/or cover edges with mulch to keep it from blowing off.
Drink lots of coffee, spiced wine, and eat lots of turkey and ham (or other cured meats - see @torontojoe) while spending time with loved ones in front of the fireplace for 3-5 months.
In late winter/early spring (to be continued…)
Click for original
Click for original
Click for original
Click for original
Click for original
