What do do with a fig tree?

[Noodles]

I bought a fig tree from Wilkos a couple of months ago. It was about a foot high when I got it but is now close to double that

It's currently living on a nice sunny windowsill but I'm guessing it will need to go outside fairly soon. Do I need to wait until the frost risk has gone? Does it need to come back in next winter? And when it does go out, what conditions does it need? I've heard you should keep it in a tub or line the base of the planting hole with slabs to restrict root growth and encourage fruit but haven't seen much more than that.

Thanks in advance

[JamesA]

From what ive read, figs are pretty indestructible. I got a Brown Turkey a couple of months back that's been potted up outside and its growing well. They grow fast, so a big tub or the slab option to keep it under control seem to be popular choices.

[Capsid]

Mine has been in a container on the patio for about a month after a winter spent in an unheated greenhouse. I reckon it will survive the frosts now. It doesn't really need to be indoors over winter, but perhaps some protection from frost damage might not go amiss although it's not essential. The main thing is to remove all the fruitlets in November so that new figs start off in the spring that can mature through one season.

[vicky]

I would put it outside now and it should be ok to leave out all year (although a layer of fleece will do no harm if you are worried).
Apparently if you don't restrict the roots the growth will be more vigourous - more leaves and less fruit. You can use paving slabs or a large pot (dustbin/watertank/whatever you have handy!)
Pick off the larger embryonic fruits in autumn to save energy for the main crop (although I know someone with a VERY sheltered garden and lots of fleece who gets two crops each year...)

[bluemoon]

Mine are in large pots, outdoors, year round. They're indestructible. (And I keep forgetting to water them in summer and the dog keeps knocking the pots over!)

[TonyF]

We've discussed this many times on here.

Figs are very hardy, they survive here very well at -8 to -10, mine has come though almost a week of -10 well and is throwing leaves everywhere. Coddling them does nothing to help them, let them come and go as they want to, I wouldn't fleece tham, I'd move them somewhere sheltered but definately not indoors.

[Jardiniere]

Ditto...mine is in a corner of the garden - it hadnt been looked after at all and was virtually dead when we bought the house and we couldnt help it for years as we were only here for the hols....we cut it back drastically a couple of years ago and this year we are hoping it will fruit...................its roots arent contained tho'...............

[Noodles]

Ah so they are much hardier than I thought. I'll find a big tub and get it outside sharpish. Thanks for the tips everyone!

[Gryfon]

Well I thought I'd killed mine over the winter with all the snow but I found it still alive! Hasn't grown much in several years but then it's still in a 10" pot!

[gojiberry]

Can't seem to get mine to do anything much. It is in a large pot, is about 4/5 years old and all I get is a few leaves on the end of the three branches each year. It is about 2.5ft tall but has been for the last 3 years.

Ian