How to overwinter citrus, fig and olive trees
Overwintering Mediterranean shrubs
Citrus, olive and fig trees are used to milder conditions and therefore need to be brought indoors from the first frosts. It is therefore worth cultivating them in containers. In spring, the plants should be slowly acclimatized to direct light, otherwise the leaves may burn.
Citrus trees
In a light or dark place, without excessive temperature fluctuations. A cellar can be chosen as a dark place. You should water the citrus trees from time to time. A house or conservatory are suitable for bright locations, as long as a reasonably constant ambient temperature can be guaranteed. Lemon trees and co. need more water here than in a dark cellar. Check the plants in both locations for pests every few weeks.
Olive trees
Wrap the olive tree well with fleece or riprap and also protect the tub with appropriate insulation. Place the tub in a sheltered, roofed location (garage, carport). In a dark, cool place such as a garage or garden shed, the tree will usually shed its leaves. This option should only be an emergency solution. The olive tree tolerates a place that is as bright as possible better in winter. A greenhouse or unheated conservatory with temperatures between 5 - 10 ° C/41 - 50 ° F is therefore also suitable. Watering is also recommended here, but waterlogging should be avoided at all costs as this damages the roots.
Fig trees
In a sheltered spot, such as on the south side of a house wall, many fig tree varieties can even overwinter outdoors. Nevertheless, the younger the tree, the more sensitive it is to frost. For this reason, the plant is often kept in a tub for the first few years and then planted out. It is best to overwinter the fig tree in a tub in a bright and cool place, such as under a bright cellar window at temperatures of around 10 ° C/50 ° F. The tree will shed its leaves here. The tree will shed its leaves here. As an emergency solution, a slightly warmer stairwell or a cool living room can also be used. However, it is important above all that the tree is not too dark. In warmer places, however, there may be an increase in pest infestation as the tree retains its leaves here. Tub plants can also be overwintered outside in a sheltered place (house wall) using a tarp and a tear drop. The same applies to fig trees planted outdoors.
