Monday, June 20, 2011

A Big Storm Knocked It Over

I spoke too soon about our figs.  And I neglected to go into detail about how much rain we have had these past four days.  Apparently last night's deluge tipped the scales, and the fig tree.

I can't tell you how surreal it was to go out on the back deck this morning and see the fig, sprawled out on the grass.  Where is the red current bush and the black and blue sage? Buried?  Who knew figs had such a shallow root system?  Not us.

Suggestions?  Condolences?  We did buy some new blueberry bushes yesterday........now we might need a new tree.



It was as tall as the house.  At least the house is still standing.

Glass half full.
Posted by flwrjane at Monday, June 20, 2011
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26 comments:

  1. Sarah atRosePetalsJune 20, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    house or fig tree? hhmmmm. Hopefully she'll take to a stake and come back in all her glory!
    The rain is playing havoc here too...my poor pepper plants look like weeds.

    such is the life of a gardener! :)

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  2. helen tilstonJune 20, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    So sorry at the loss of your fig tree. In keeping with you glass half full philosophy, we will celebrate that your house is intact. Will you try growing one again? Blueberries/red currants and other fruits are delicious too.
    Helen

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  3. An Urban CottageJune 20, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    OH, NO!!!! And I was looking forward to my first annual jar of SBC Fig Jam!

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  4. flwrjaneJune 20, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Sarah, It would have to be a very big stake. Maybe if we cut it down by half?

    Nature is not being very nurturing here.

    Helen, we will def get a new one if this can;t be saved. we are redoing our back garden anyway...now we have another bed to plant in1

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  5. ggJune 20, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    Let us all remain calm, the war is not yet over...

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  6. flwrjaneJune 20, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Steve, I KNOW!!

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  7. BonnieJune 20, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Oh my, I am so sorry! I had no idea the root system was so shallow either. I do have mind tethered to the fence. But, we already know only the squirrels benefit from the figs. Again, so sorry! It was looking so promising....

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  8. BonnieJune 20, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Sorry, my mind needs to be tethered....mine!

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  9. SuzJune 20, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Sorry about the loss of your fig tree. I know how hard it is when you lose a favorite tree or flower plant. I've lost a few.

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  10. MiseJune 20, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Poor poor fig. You'd wonder why olden time heroines spoke of not giving a fig when something bad happened. Would you pour yourself a half glass of wine to redress the balance?

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  11. Sara LouiseJune 20, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Glass half full in deed! Happy your house is OK :-)

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  12. My Farmhouse KitchenJune 20, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    that breaks my heart...i am sending condolences, my friend

    kary and teddy
    xo

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  13. Sherri B.June 20, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    That is a sad sight indeed. Hopefully with a good trim and serious staking it will take hold.

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  14. UnknownJune 20, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Oh no, what a shame! Feeling your pain!

    Peaks and troughs this gardening lark. xx

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  15. Denise | Chez DanisseJune 20, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    : (

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  16. bowstreetflowersJune 20, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    I say plant it, stake it. Old Italian guys in Somerville lay their figs down in the winter and bury them. They must pull them up and drop them back in the soil. Our little fig is chugging along on our porch with five baby figs..car exhaust and wind whipping it.. I think they're pretty hardy. Bon Chance!!!
    (and I'll be checking the mail for MY fig jam this summer)!

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  17. DanJune 20, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Can you save the fig tree? It's such a shame when these things happen - it's certainly possible to get very attached to garden plants!
    Dan
    -x-

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  18. MarieJune 20, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    But it's alive? Stake it. It is very close to the house. Perhaps when it is dormant you can dig it up and move it. They are quite forgiving.

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  19. MadeliefJune 20, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    Hi Jane,

    Sorry to hear about the storm. I have got a big fig tree in my garden I don't want any more. You can come and collect it! Fancy a trip to Holland :-)?

    Happy new week!

    Madelief x

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  20. the gardener's cottageJune 20, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    man i hate that. this past winter we lost a couple of very pretty trees due to high winds and rain. what are you gonna do? replant, of course.

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  21. KarenJune 20, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    We caught the tail of that storm here in Greensboro, but my Brown Turkey fig is in a container and set in a corner where my unit abuts the next unit, so no problems. And I actually have figs on it this year unlike last year when the heat just destroyed it.

    (And I still can't use my Google account on your blog or Dan over at Frogs, Dogs and Ferns, but it works on everyone else's blog. Are the two of you conspiring against me?)

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  22. Tera @ elgin eco-houseJune 20, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Oh what a disappointment! So sorry, what a sad picture.

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  23. AnonymousJune 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Sorry to hear about your fig tree Jane, but happy about the house. Would you mind sending us a little (just a little - maybe a few inches over a couple of days) of your rain? we haven't had any in weeks and a picture of my beautiful hydrangeas flopping all over the ground is almost as sad as your fig tree. And that's with watering! These 99 degree days are taking a toll on the garden.
    Karin
    lifeinsmallchunks.blogspot.com
    I, too, can't comment using my blog address!

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  24. AnonymousJune 21, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    that poor fig tree!

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  25. CarolaJune 21, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    No!! Im so sorry! :( The pass weekend we had a big storm too. There are a lot of big trees arond the house and I have to confese I was afraid something like that happend.
    I have a little fig tree in a pot, I wish I could just bring it to you..
    kisssss!

    Carola

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  26. webbJune 22, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    so sorry about the fig. Can you cut it back 50% and stake - at least until fall and then move it? it's hard to be thankful for rain when it does so much harm. xoxo

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