Hello,

I live in southern Arizona and need a few tips on growing figs.  Three months ago I bought an Alma fig tree and Turkey fig tree, as well as an unidentified fig tree started from seed.  Two of the trees are in five gallon plastic pots and the other in a gallon pot.  The Turkey fig has small fruit.  I also have a Mission fig in a five gallon pot.  Should I plant these trees in the ground or put them in bigger pots with potting soil and perlite and wait until next spring?  Also, I have a Celeste fig planted on the east side of the house and this tree that keeps freezing back and is only about a foot high with a few figs.  I watched a video, which stated that east side was not a good place for a fig tree because during the winter the sun draws the moisture out of the ground and freezes the plant; I'm thinking about digging it up and planting it on the west side of the house. I live at just under 4000 feet.  

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.  

Regards,

Ed in AZ

If winter temps are below freezing, wait till spring. If not, fall planting helps plants get a jump on spring.

Hi Ed. East side of the house should be a good spot for a fig tree, especially for a Celeste. Cut back on the irrigation in the fall so that the tree can go dormant for the winter, then it should handle any freezes just fine. You want it to stop growing and drop its leaves by around Thanksgiving. It will resprout in the spring and be fine.

4000ft elevation in AZ is a world away from Phoenix and other low elevation climates in AZ. It's Z6/7 vs Z9. Unless you are in a really favorable microclimate potted will be the best bet. That would be a location with very good air drainage like the side of a mountain about 200ft above the valley floor. I live in a similar climate in SW Texas at 4500ft and figs are best off in pots. I like 10-15 gal size best. I can get a couple hundred figs off that size plant. Protect from freezing in winter and spring but get it growing early.

Thanks guys for the replies!  

The problems is that where I live it gets pretty hot in the summer, but it can get into the teens during the winter.  I've had water freeze inside my Jeep during the winter.  I know the chill hours are good for other fruit trees but maybe not so much for figs.  

I'll have leftover potting soil from my vegetable garden this coming fall that I could use to transplant the fig trees into bigger pots.  I might plant the Mission fig that I bought at Walmart and see what happens.  The Alma fig tree has no fruit buy is growing and looks healthy and the Turkey fig tree already has nine figs and it's only in one gallon pot.  I think I'll plant the unidentified fig tree has three figs growing, and I'm curious to find out what is the variety of this tree.
 
I didn't know that I should stop watering in the fall to encourage the fig trees going into dormancy, but I'll give that a try and give the Celeste fig tree one more chance before and relocate it.  I have a peach tree in a pot that I'll plant in its place.  I am running out of room because I already planted fruit and shade trees in our yard.    

By the way, there is a fig tree in town by the Catholic church that is huge and is planted on the north side of the church, and it's been there for years.  I don't know what variety it is, but it might be worth taking a cutting for a new tree.

Thanks again for all the advice!  Have a great day!

Regards,

Ed in AZ