I have a spot I was eying to maybe put one of my trees in ground. Couple of questions...

I was thinking about my Negronne as it tends to fair well taste wise across the board, including locally here in the pacific northwest. My tree has some figs growing on it. Will I disturb it by putting it in the ground now? I don't want to hurt the precious baby figs.

This spot is 3' from a raised bed. Too close? I'm worried about roots.

Nichole...

I would think that if you can slip the tree out of either the ground, or, the pot without disturbing the roots, you'll be OK.  If the tree is in-ground, remove as much of the original root zone...undisturbed...as possible and slip the plant into the new hole.  Mulch, water, sip some wine.  I don't think the developing figs will be harmed.  I could be wrong.

Good luck.

Frank

I was wondering the same thing, though I'm on the east coast.  I have a potted Malta black that I airlayered last year, and I'm giving to my brother.  He'll plant in ground on Long Island, and I think it's safe at this time of year, but I don't have any experience.

Andrew B.

Is the tree in a PLASTIC pot?  If yes, dig a hole, place the tree in the hole, pot and all, then slice away the pot, and slip the tree, roots and all. into the new growing area.   Add mulch and water well for the first week.  Roots will never know the difference, and plant will continue to grow as before the transplant.  The trick is not to mess with the roots.  Do it...but don't wait too long.  The growing season is coming to an end and that tree needs to be established in the new growing area before cold weather hits.  Good luck.

Frank

Yes, you can disturb it. The biggest problem could be a pH disturbance. I have found that going from a low/neutral pH to a high one can result in stagnation of growth and development of fig trees for anywhere from a few months to an entire season or more. There are other considerations, but that seems to be a big one. Good luck!

Not too worried about shading the bed. I could always put in tender greens. I am worried the roots will invade and fill. I hadn't thought of pH though.

The pot it is in now is a clay pot. I may just wait till the season is over to play it safe.

I've heard many people say that you shouldn't transplant during the active growing season. 

However, in my opinion, this is only true if you significantly disturb the root ball.  If you can easily slide the plant out of the pot, place it in the soil, I can't see how you could have a problem. 

I have transplanted about 100 new fig pots from 1 gallon to 3 gallon pots this year in the last couple months, in different mix (potting mix to mostly pine bark), and they have all thrived after doing so. 

Sometimes you have to plant during summer.  I've repotted plenty of trees over the past 4 weeks with fresh soil mix.  I'm not in the deep south but a few feet from it!  It's gets pretty hot down here and if you do decide to plant now, I recommend plant the tree at dusk or early in the wee hours.  Also, till the soil real good with a soil conditioner remove the tilled mix add water in the hole, add the tree, then the soil, press down the soil using your foot, add more water and mulch it with at least 4in of mulch.  My theory is as long as you don't disturb the root too much and there is moisture, everything should be fine.  Figs are like weeds.

People transplant figs and pretty much anything else in the summer here (San Jose). I like to get the hole ready and then plant at dusk, water/mulch. Will be fine. 

Andrew B...

Bring some good wine and toast the new tree in a new hole.  Yes, limestone and mulch...good twins.  A 1 gallon transplant will take you 5 minutes to do, and the tree will start growing before you and your brother catch the first fish!  : )))))

Good luck with transplantin' and fishin'

Frank