[Grubbypaws]

I really want to grow figs. Yesterday found me wandering round the garden desperately trying to find a 'sunny sheltered spot next to a SW facing wall'. I live in a wind tunnel in the Peak District!

OK so I found ONE possible place but it would mean growing the fig in a container and then training the fig espalier style along a 4 foot high wall underneath the lounge window 

Does anyone know if can figs be trained into an espalier?

It would be a fantastic use of an unused SW facing wall if it was possible.

[mumofstig]

Figs can be espaliered, and I know they're often grown with a paving slab underneath to restrict the root So far so good!

it would still have to be a big big pot to support a tree though, and that would mean losing a lot of the available wall height.  I think you'd struggle to keep it low enough, you'd have to grow it with only 1 arm each side, like a stepover and it would still have branches above the windowcill level between prunings

Could you lift one slab, and plant it in the soil?

[Grubbypaws]

Good news that it can be trained espalier style.

I am not sure what is under the slab and if I could dig down,  I will go and explore.

I am a little worried about having fig roots so near the house as I have seen what they can do to old buildings and rocks hence the desire to plant it in a container. 

My book says use  20x20 inch pot. I guess that I could try and bury this as far as I am able. If I could completely sink it I guess that I could get 2 arms.

Fresh figs in the garden would be special. My OH does a mean mean salad with parma ham and mozzarella with a honey and lemon dressing 

[Spana]

If its going into a pot why does it need to be against a wall.

I have a fig grown on a long stem with a head, like a small tree, wouldn't that do if you stood it in a sheltered spot, if you have one.   

[Grubbypaws]

Hi Spana,

I live in a wind tunnel in NE England so I was thinking that the fig would need the shelter and warmth of a wall. I may be wrong