i'll be testing VdB, White Ischia, and Paradio Gene inground starting next year. reading about lead poisoning, it really should not be a concern as far as the fruits are concerned if they are washed.

we don't have a harsh winter, but the temp goes down to below 10 degree once in awhile. do i still need to protect the trees? VdB and Paradiso Gene are 3 yrs old and have good roots. i already have back up plants for these. White Ischia is a new plant that i rooted this year. i also have back up.

I'm curious, what made you think of lead poisoning as a concern?

Did you do a metal test in your garden or is there something nearby that concerned you?

Pete..
  I live in New Bern, NC.  I've noticed that at about 16 F. , I have freeze/death to ground level or on young trees complete death.  I do have a 12 foot Celeste/BT next to house, that does survive it all.
  I have , in ground, three year old, Hardy Chicago, Green Greek, Well sweep, Hollier, Smith and Marseille Blk.   Last winter was a very mild winter. This winter may not be the same.
  I will see which survive , with only heavy mulch, and which do not.
P.S.  I do have a back-up Smith.          I am hoping for the best.    Fred

dominic,

i trust nothing. god knows what has been around the area i'm living few dacades ago..

Yikes

Precautions for Garden Soils

To minimize absorption of lead by plants a number of control measures may be taken:
 1.Maintain soil pH levels above 6.5. Lead is relatively unavailable to plants when the soil pH is above this level. If needed, add lime according to soil test recommendation. Lead is also less available when soil phosphorus tests are high. For information about obtaining a routine soil test, contact your local Extension office.

2.Add organic matter to your soil. In soils with high lead levels, adding one-third by volume organic matter will significantly reduce lead availability. Organic compounds bind lead and make it less available to the plant. When adding organic matter, the pH should also be maintained above 6.5. Good sources of organic matter include composted leaves, neutral (non-acid) peat, and well-rotted manure. Avoid leaf mulch obtained along highways or city streets as it may contain higher than normal lead levels.

3.Locate your garden as far away from busy streets or highways and older buildings as possible.

4.Because of the possibility of bare soil exposure to children through hand to mouth activity, soils with lead levels exceeding 100 ppm should not be used for gardening. If soil exposure to children is not a concern, then plants can be safely eaten from soils with soil lead levels up to 300 ppm.

gina,

i read that too. so i decided not to worry about it too much. i see few people with veggie garden around my area.

but now what's worrying me is the winter. few years back, my wife decided that moving our plumeria back and forth for the winter was too much bother. we planted one to test, and sure enough it died on us during the winter.

Pete, Fred is right.  Plan on some kind of protection, at least until they get older and thicker trunks.  My trees took 17 degrees fine but two winters ago, I got hit with a back door cold front and it went down to 9 degrees for just one night here at Newport and only along the immediate coast, not where you are  which usually is colder.  All of my figs died to the ground and it wasted a year recuperating.

Fred, Tim,

I'll be planting them in spring. Hopefully, the trees will take hold and survive the winter. Would hate to lose Paradiso Gene. Even in container, it's one amazing fig.