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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Storing Figs For The Winter
 
 


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ADelmanto

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Last fall I put up a 10 x 12' Harbor Freight greenhouse. During the heart of the polar vortex last winter it collapsed. I was able to salvage it and reconstruct it using 2x4's to make it a lot more structurally sound. I then created a "walk in cooler" by lining the walls with 4x8' x 1" rigid foam insulation. I even created a drop ceiling at a height of 6' so I would not have to heat more space than I needed. Finally I installed an electric heater and thermostat set to 45 degrees (it's lowest setting). Now all 100+ pots are all cozy for the winter. Fingers crossed that this winter is better than last year.

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COGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
The structure looks very sound, nice job, I sure hope it does hold up. If you get wind like I do, it needs to be very stout.  The figs do look cozy.
jkuo

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Looks good.  I've been tempted to build outdoor storage for my future fig expansion plans.  A dozen plants is about all I can get into my garage and still allow me to use the garage for actually parking the car and as a multipurpose space.
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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Garages aren't for parking cars. ... that's crazy talk. 
FiggyFrank

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Very nice! Looks like it would stand up to another polar vortex.
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cis4elk

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Like it, good luck!

Quote:
Garages aren't for parking cars. ... that's crazy talk. 


Seriously! I tell my wife all the time, she uses her spot for her car and I get to use my spot for whatever I want. I choose to use mine for important things like fig trees, hanging deer, and a refrigerator for things like beer/pop, bait, garden overflow, and game quarters.
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Aaron4USA

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Hi Aaron D.
You did a great job reconstructing...looks very strong support system.
Are you planning to use some sort of heating system in there? Or it's not necessary.
COGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
My garage had not seen a car in years, probably a decade or more. Every year as winter approaches, my wife starts dropping hints about being able to park in the garage, it never happens..... but she tries. It's to full, fridge, freezer, full on work shop, greenhouse, oh and yeah. ..... fig trees!!!!  And a banana, pineapple, palm trees. ..... and storage.  I must have ten pounds shoved into a bag that only holds five! 

So yeah, cars. ... no way.
COGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
I just had an interesting thought. What if your potted trees were kept on a trailer, or two or three trailer for some of you, and at the end of the growing season, you just pull the trailer into you barn for winter storage. Then pull them back out in the spring, fast and easy! 
Aaron4USA

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
LOL Scott,

You realize we could write an entire Stand Up Comedy show constituted solely with your lines by now, right?
God bless you.
COGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron4USA
LOL Scott,

You realize we could write an entire Stand Up Comedy show constituted solely with your lines by now, right?
God bless you.


No, I didn't. 

Lol

I'm glad I'm entertaining if nothing else. 

Thanks Aaron
waynea

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Hey Scott, good idea, I would use a combination of a 2 wheeler and trailer (at least big enough to be pulled by a mower) with a ramp for the big pots. I definitely would not use a 2 wheeler alone, too many trips for the in and out.
pino

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Nice rescue job on your greenhouse!
What does your door look like is everything sealed tight from the wind?
Looks nice and warm for your figs.
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ADelmanto

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Yes everything is sealed tight. I used the same foam panels to seal the opening and then attached the doors that came with the greenhouse. They are such a joke. They barely stay on by themselves without any wind. I have them clamped together and pinned closed with concrete blocks.

I have another entire greenhouse still in the box. I will throw away the metal frame that comes with it and install it with 2x4" construction from the beginning.
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COGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Sounds like a testimonial to NOT buy a harbor freight green house. 
snaglpus

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Hey Aaron, you did a super job! I'm leaning towards getting another GH. That Harbor Freight GH is on sale now in my area for $679.99. I got a 25% off coupon which mean the finsl cost before taxes is $580. That's still a great deal. And a 10x12 GH is a good size GH.

Do you think if you had used liquid nails on your first time install, would it have survived your wind storm?

The reason I ask is b/c we had a big down burst about 5 yrs ago. It blew my huge 4 burner BBQ grill 12 feet across my deck and snapped the window vent off my GH. But my GH stood firm without loosing any panels, just a vent.
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ADelmanto

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
It was the weight of the wet heavy snow that was the real issue. It folded the greenhouse like a house of cards. I got sucked into it for about $580 myself. It's prob about 3x that after all the repairs and modifications. If I had it to do over again I'd prob opt for a hoop house.
http://www.buildmyowngreenhouse.com/1emtconnectors.aspx
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GRamaley

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
I think Scott maybe a genius!!
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cis4elk

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
This last spring, one of the members(who left us) filled the bed of his truck with potted trees. He'd just drive the truck out of the garage in the morning and back it in come dark.
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Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6
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PhilaGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
You can even move the truck at lunch to get better sun :>)

Seriously, that is a nice looking rebuild.  It will be interesting to hear how much it costs to keep it warmed over the NJ winter.  Good luck and keep us posted!
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Feigenbaum

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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
Very impressive built!!!
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ADelmanto

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 
It would be impossible to figure what the electric bill would be on that heater alone. I can tell you that it is much cheaper than the time and energy to replace the figs I lost last winter. Of the 67 or so varieties I only replaced 6 of them so far. (Not including the cuttings in the crisper. )
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Aaron4USA

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Posted Reply with quote  #23 
Quote:
Originally Posted by COGardener
I just had an interesting thought. What if your potted trees were kept on a trailer, or two or three trailer for some of you, and at the end of the growing season, you just pull the trailer into you barn for winter storage. Then pull them back out in the spring, fast and easy! 
Scot, my comment on Stand up Comedy was not referring to this post.
I think this idea is an interestingly doable. Platform on wheels that go in and out of a greenhouse.
COGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #24 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron4USA
Quote:
Originally Posted by COGardener
I just had an interesting thought. What if your potted trees were kept on a trailer, or two or three trailer for some of you, and at the end of the growing season, you just pull the trailer into you barn for winter storage. Then pull them back out in the spring, fast and easy! 
Scot, my comment on Stand up Comedy was not referring to this post.
I think this idea is an interestingly doable. Platform on wheels that go in and out of a greenhouse.


I figured so much Aaron, again, at least I'm entertaining.  Lol

like this idea a lot, I may use it when I move, 32 foot flat bed will hold a good amount of trees. I just hope the trailer is never needed for something else. ...  time for another trailer! ...... or two...... or.......
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