So, as you know, we have a ton of property to fill with all things orchard, and my Panachee gets the special spot!

This tree will grow tall and provide shade for the dining room (which you can't see), and the figs can be easily picked from the deck above (which is rotting and in process of being redone).

So the landscapers were here yesterday.  They dumped a bunch of dirt in a place where we had removed a giant messy tree, put some rocks around it so it wouldn't slide under the deck, and my little Panachee was sitting there waiting to be planted.

They asked the question "Would you like us to plant it for you?"  "Knock yourselves out," I replied!  So here is the step by step!

Just before they asked me if I wanted it planted.  See it waiting patiently in the foreground?



Next, They dug the hole in that really nice dirt, and put in a gopher basket.  Everything we plant gets one of those baskets. 


Then they un-pot the fig tree, and begin to lower it into the basket!


And the finished planting.  They also brought in drip irrigation to it.



What you don't see is the nice dose of Vitamin B1, and the 2' tube of gopher wire around the tree to protect from voles and rabbits.

I expect this baby to grow 8' this summer!!

Wish I had those guys around every day!

Suzi

Love it! Thank you for sharing, makes me want to go hire a crew LOL.

Suzi, thanks for sharing!
How old is that Panachee ?
Mine has 2 leaves now and is 4 inches tall :)

This is the 4 year old Panachee whose roots I fried for 3 seasons until Jon explained that the pot was getting too hot and slowing it's growth.  It's small for it's age, but I'll say it's one year old since it only began growing last year.  It got a little leggy from recovering in the shade, but I'm happy because I want one trunk, not multiples, and where it is now gets morning shade, so I hope it reaches to the sun and grows fast.  Once it gets past the deck, it's leaves will be in full sun all day.

Suzi

Love it. Can't you already taste those figs? It might offer a little shade on your deck, too!

That's great!  Nice guys.

Suzi...best of luck with the new homestead, and with that beautiful Panache...it's always a good day when another tree goes in the ground.    :)   :)

Soon you'll be picking figs right from your deck.  You won't even have to get your feet dirty.  Very cool.  Congrats on your new home.

I think you're gonna need a bigger gopher pot.  :)

Best of luck with it and congratulations on the christening of your new orchard.

I'll post a year from now, and we'll see if the Panachee survives the attacks from the gophers and voles.  We did our best to protect.  I absolutely can't wait to taste my first fig from the Panachee.  It is the BEST according to Grin. 

This one is FMV free, but I have a FMV laden back-up in case the gophers get this one, and I think I'll do some air layers.  A girl can't be too cautious!!

Suzi

Looks like the perfect spot. I'm sure it will grow like a weed and give you many delicious figs. Good Luck!! :o)

Suzy325, thanks for your support, and I agree.  Perfect spot.  Previous owners left this wire basket, and JD wanted to toss it.  I objected!  THIS is the BASKET we take figs to the neighbors!  One neighbor already wants any figs I produce, and I got a good baby figlet for him.  Col De Dama Negra...
I'm thinking front yard and center!

Suzi

Looks like it will be a happy tree and you the happy owner.

oh... you don't break your back nor dirty your hands...nice work... I wish i could afford that, my back is killing me and my hands look like an old farmers hand... tried grafting a delicate tomato and decided to use twizers as my stiff and swollen hands won't let me do that delicate work... but it is rewarding.. I don't have money, but have my trees to be!  That is good for me.

Grasa,

You can do more with your swollen hands and a pair of tweezers than a dozen irrigation dudes could do!  You amaze all of us with your delicate grafting skills.

Please don't think we hired those guys to plant the fig.  They were here to figure out the maze of irrigation lines put in by previous owners, and to connect them.  I just got lucky that they asked if I wanted the Panachee planted.  I'm looking at it right now, and it's rising above it's gopher cage and looking pretty!  As soon as we finish lunch, we go out to plant a pomegranate and a fig with our own hands.  Today is Adriatic!!  From pots to in-ground is an adventure I'm looking forward to, and hopefully there will be a ton of figs.

Unfortunately, there are a ton of birds here too!!  :-)

Suzi