History/About/Calabrian Culture


A Calabrese suggestion for keeping a fig tree in Pennsylania
by Frank DiCianni

The changing colors of foliage around us suggests the coming of winter, so it is now time to begin thinking about covering our fig trees to protect them from the elements.  I can remember as a child my father covering our fig trees.  With old blankets, quilts and large pieces of cardboard he would assemble a mirage of plastic sheets and secure with them with various ropes, twine and old clothes lines in order to insure that we would once again enjoy this favored fruit the following summer.  Here is perhaps a more ascetic way of covering a fig tree:  Wait until all the leaves have fallen off the fig tree.  Gather the branches together towards the trunk and tie them with a string.  Install one inch square posts in the ground and nail a few wood strips between each post to secure them together thus forming a box shape.  Cover the box with pieces of 3/4" Styrofoam insulation, using the rigid type found in any home improvement store. This will help ease the assembly process.  Be certain to cover all sides as well as the top of the structure.  Next, wrap the Styrofoam with plastic sheets, securing it with twine so the harsh winter winds will not affect this moisture shedding barrier-make certain to over lap the plastic.  Cut a three-inch hole in the side of the box near the top as well as one at the bottom, this will insure moisture will not be trapped inside and will allow for air circulation.  Hope for the best and you will be eating figs next year.