Chicago hardy fig zone 6 winter protection success!

I have a Chicago hardy fig that has been winter killed above ground and regrow every year. During the growing season of 2024, I tried training several branches to lay close to the ground. Afterthe leaves were gone, I weighted down the tips with rocks and buried the branches under a few inches of soil. I got below zero temperature twice the past winter, with the lowest of -7F/-22C. I unearthed the branches in spring to check and they were all alive. This year the fig bush is healthyand vigorous. The branches are now spread out evenly, as they no longer start from the crown any more. There are hundreds of fruitlets and they get plenty of time to ripe.

I am really happy with the result. This coming winter, I am going to protect the 2nd year horizontal cordons again so they will gain girth and be more resilient over the years.

Brilliant! This winter we had a blizzard to the tune of temps and weather not seen since 130 years ago. This spring and summer everything has been so slow and sleepy - it is interesting to me that this is normal for many gardeners! I am now* rather skeptical of weather and will forever be grateful for cabbages and Florida Broadleaf mustard greens and mache!

Where I grew up in southern Michigan, we had a neighbor who grew fig trees. I think he was Italian.  Every fall he would bury his fig trees in the ground!  He would dig a trench out to one side of the tree, cut through the roots on the opposite side till it was slightly loose, tie the branches together, and then tip the whole thing over sideways into the trench and bury it!  Come spring he'd dig it up, stand it up tied to a stake, and away it would grow!

I heard about that traditional Italian method too. The first people did it must be audacious or desperate!  

I checked near the center of the bush. I left some twigs buried and they send down adventitous roots. I yanked several of the branches out potted them up.  I got 10 more fig trees instantly.

Mae May, Do you think training them low and covering densely with straw or hay would have similar results? Or do you believe the success is specific to the soil?

I think preventing desiccation of the barks would be the key. Figs have very thin barks and pithy core. Soil holds moisture and heat so the skins won't dry out. But this year I am going to test another method which is bark coating. I will paint the trunks with lime and latex. Then wrap with straw and cardboard for extra protection.

How big is your fig?

Hi May. You are somewhere in Southern Illinois, I think. Surprised 'Chicago hardy ' figs need so much help. My niece is growing figs in N Illinois and getting some fruit.

I am in SW Missouri with an elevation of 1300-1400ft so my winter can be quite harsh. I used to blame on weather and genetics for winter kill but I started to wonder if my fruit trees weren't unleashing full potential because of the soil. I tested the idea out and so far had very positive results. Anyway, my fruit trees have healthier growth this season and I am expecting the cold hardiness should be improved as well. I have a second CH fig bush to be left unprotected for comparison. Some other varieties are developing breba fruits.  I don't want to risk the fruits and will protect those as best as I can.