Caring for Dormant Fig Trees in Containers

Those container grown fig trees that are moved into a garage or unheated area to spend the winter don’t need much attention but they do require a degree of special fig tree care and an occasional watering even during their dormant rest periods.

Today I wanted to share a technique to water those containers that has been just too convenient with all the snow that we have received this winter. Rather than hauling water to the fig trees, you can simply pack a bit of snow onto the top of the planters wherever you are storing them for the winter.

Using Snow to Supply Moisture to Potted Fruit Trees

The snow will gradually melt and supply the fig tree containers with just the right amount of moisture at opportune times. It’s easier for the soil to slowly absorb the melted snow and you’ll have less water simply running through a frozen pot.

I learned this secret of fig tree care from a bonsai plant grower but it works great with my fig trees and other dormant fruit trees that are over wintered in unheated sheltered locations where they don’t receive any normal precipitation.

Just a Little Water Goes a Long Way with Dormant Plants

Be careful not to go overboard because these plants are dormant and don’t require routine watering, you just want to provide enough moisture to keep the soil from completely drying out. But don’t allow the soil to become the least bit water logged.

A light watering once every five or six weeks works out well for me with these dormant potted fruits and trees. They are low maintenance, have shed all their leaves, and are perfectly comfortable spending the entire winter cooped up in tight quarters with no light, no fertilizer, and very little water.

Other Plants are a Lot More Demanding during the Winter Months

Tropicals, herbs, and other patio plants that are still active and retain their leaves after being moved into a heated living area are a completely different matter and require much more attention and moisture to get them through the winter months.

But for those dormant plants a little snow may be all that you need to create the perfect self watering set up.