Step 14: Growing Figs in Containers
As we mentioned previously, it’s possible to grow figs in containers or pots. The roots system for the fig tree requires a reasonably large container when it starts to mature, However, growing in small containers, around 50-gallons or so, will allow you to produce a dwarf fig tree that still manages to yield fruit.
This growth strategy makes it possible to grow figs in colder climates where they may perish in the first year of life. Growing your plants indoors for the first year helps to harden the tree against environmental stress when you transplant it outdoors during the following season.
After planting the tree using the same fertilizer and mulch you would with outdoor planting, place the pot in a sunny area of the yard that receives full sunlight throughout the day. Move the pot indoors to a protected area of the garden during the evening, and then take it back into the sun the following morning. If you want to grow in containers, we suggest you use a pot with wheels, as the tree can get heavy, especially after watering.
Step 15: Pruning Your Fig Tree
After your fig takes root and starts to grow, you don’t have to worry about pruning for the first year of life. However, after the plant successfully yields fruit, you can start the pruning process to increase harvest yield the following season. Figs don’t require any training, and a good pair of pruning scissors is all you need to get the job done right.
As the plant begins to bear fruit in the spring, trim back all of the non-producing heads. You can also use a shovel to chop off all of the suckers that sprout from roots on the surface. It’s a straightforward process to propagate your fig tree, and you don’t even need to go to the hassle of making cuttings.
Bend one of the lower branches of the tree to the ground and tie it down into position. Cover the tip with soil and wait for a few weeks for it to root, then chop it off and plant in a container.