Potted figs
Mature fig trees can command a large presence in the garden, but they are also suitable for pots. With proper pruning, you can maintain a tidy specimen that produces abundant fruit and looks lovely on the patio. Besides the desire to save space, fig fanciers often turn to container culture as a way to expand the varieties of figs they can grow. Tender varieties can be moved into a basement and kept dormant during cold months. As with any potted plants, diligence with watering and fertilizing is essential since the soils dry quickly and nutrients leach from containers. Figs can be repotted in larger containers as they grow—or root-pruned so they can remain in their existing container. A container in the 15- to 20-gallon range is a typical recommendation. If you plan to move a fig indoors for winter, choose a container size that will be manageable. The North American Fruit Explorers (www.nafex.org/figs.htm) is an excellent resource on all aspects of fig culture.