I bought an italian fig tree (bogiola)...it's about 2 feet tall. The guy at the store said you can plant it outside and have success with it year after year bearing fruit and it will survive if it is covered and also burried. What steps do I have to take to keep it alive? I am zone 6
I would keep it potted for the first 3 years to let it harden off. Store in an attached garage or cellar in winter to keep it from freezing. After the third winter you can try planting it outside but it may still need some winter protection in zone 6.
Potted plants are brought indoors and kept in a cool place like cellar or garage. In ground plants they either bend the tree downwards and bury the top half and cover the rest with leaves and then tarp on top. My dads old neighbour had a pretty big fig tree he would cover it with a plexy glass box he built and then filled it with insulation. I lived there for 5 years and the tree never died so I guess that works.
If you have a garage, just keep it in there for the winter. Don't let it dry out completely but don't overwater. No special steps need be taken that way, the other way is a real pain. This also avoids mealy bug and spider mites which occur in the house. Just remember to pot up when needed. Aristotle
