SoilWrap

Traditional plastic plant containers are a bulky byproduct of most landscape installations.  The green industry is looking to change that with more widespread use of degradable pots.  Each year more options enter the market and many have made their way to landscape garden centers.  Here's what you need to know about the alternative containers: SoilWrap is a bio-based, plantable container from Ball Innovations.  It's made from Mirel, a renewable, biodegradable and environmentally friendly material.  This container recently won a Greener Package Award in a competition sponsored by Summit Publishing's Greener-Package.com.  Drew Effron, product manager for Ball Innovations, says studies they've done indicate a labor savings of 30-40 percent when plantable containers are used for installations.  Time and effort are saved by not having to dislodge plants from pots and then clean up afterward.  SoilWrap will have a big roll out at next year's California Spring Trails.  Effron says results from testing show plants thrive in the packaging.  We've done a world of studies in both containers and in the ground, he says.  We show no ill effects.  Plants just grow right out the bottom of the container.  The current design has micro-perfs built into it, intended to allow quicker degradation once it's in the ground.  It allows roots to come out of the pot's sides.

Biopot

Biopots are made from bamboo, rice husks and straw.  They are a toxic waste free, degradable substitute to plastic.  Grower pots range in size from 2 ½ inches up to 8 inches.  They last around one year planted outside and three years planted inside. 

Cowpot

CowPots, are made from cow manure, which have been thoroughly tested and validated.  The natural absorbent texture of manure allows young roots to easily enter the sides and bottoms of CowPots.  This allows for air pruning and the formation of root buds and secondary root development throughout the pot, providing dense, healthy root systems.  CowPots stay intact for 12 weeks depending on the developing location and irrigation procedures used.  The nitrogen in composted cow manure helps the pots naturally biodegrade.  The pots come in 5-inch square and round, 6-cell flats and 3-inch round. 

Fig trees typically grow to a height of 10 - 30 feet, with their branches spreading wider than their height.  Their wood is weak and rapidly decays.  Where branches have been shed or removed, the trunk will show large nodal tumors.  These trees will become extremely large and shade out anything planted underneath it.  Keep this in mind when searching for a spot to plant one.  They do like it hot, so planting this near a wall will allow it to bask in the reflected heat.  Fig flowers are located inside the green fruits.  The first crop of fruit shows up on last season's growth, called the breba crop.  The second crop shows up in the fall on new growth, which is known as the main crop.  In cold climate areas, this crop is often destroyed by spring frosts.  Young trees should be irrigated regularly until fully established.  If the leaves turn yellow and drop, this is an indication that it's not getting enough water.  Heavy pruning should only be done in the initial years.  Best to prune immediately after the main crop is harvested.  Frost protection is a must in our zone.  You can construct a frame over the plant, and supply a heavy cover.  The roots need to stay dry during winter, (from the freeze and thaw) so planting on a raised beam will also help.  Pests you'll encounter with a fig tree, will be gophers who like to eat the roots and birds that will cause damage to the fruit.  Beetles are another pest that can enter the ripening fruit.  When harvesting figs, the fruit must fully ripen on the tree.  Once picked, the fruit will only last 2-3 days in the refrigerator.  Fig trees require full sun all day to ripen fruits.  Their roots will travel far beyond their canopy and may be cut back without loss to the tree.