Even if the power cord, 100 to 200 feet is a PITA, the electric trimmer is by far the easiest and most effective to use...5 to 10 dollars at your local auction; the TORO is finally shot, the B & D is still good. Batteries are convenient, true, but do not last...and they are very expensive.. If your yard is small, really small, then why not do it by hand ??? Its good exercise..

You guys/gals very successful with the baggie method... I had some mixed results. My main problem is transfering those "very" fragile new roots into the next potting medium. My earlier matra had always been NOT to disturb any new fragile roots. Recenlty, I am seeing myself going back straitght into the potting cup (skipping the bag). It had worked for me before. OK, as a (bag) compromise, I do much less initial watering, in a subdued environment, for ~2 weeks, thinking that if/when any roots develop, they just go STRAIGHT to where they belong - the soil.

Hi:and Congratulation. Do not prune them this year. Except Pinch the top of the 5 foot tall tree. You do not want them any taller than 5 foot this year because you want them to branch out. And yes,get som dolomitic powdered or(granular) limestone,and spread it around in ground trees,and if you can work it inside surface soil so the wind do not blow it away. Do not worry you can't over apply it up to 2 inches,deep is OK. You can plant all your trees outside this year. I can see you will have ripe fruits this year,and good for you. H2

Yes demondmh, This particular strain was originally brought from Europe to USA by a Maryland (MD) WWII veteran in 1943. Here is a description by two other famous fig experts: ROBERT HOGG: BLACK PROVENCE (Black Marseilles; Reculver; Noir de Provence). Â Small or below medium size, oblong. Skin, dark brown. Flesh, red, tender, very juicy, and richly flavoured. Tree bears abundantly, and is well adapted for forcing. Ira Condit: Marseillaise Black (syns. Black Marseilles, Marseillaise Negra, Black Provence, Ficus carica phoceana Risso, according to Sauvaigo). Described by Sawyer (1824), Hogg (1866), G. S. (1869), Sauvaigo (1889), Barron (1891), Eisen (1901), Starnes (1903), and Starnes and Monroe (1907, with illustration). The following account is after that of Eisen, which differs somewhat from the short one given by Hogg. Figs medium, pyriform, with distinct neck; stalk long, about one-third the length of the fig; ribs distinct, especially on neck and body; eye medium, closed; scales large, red; skin waxy, with thin bloom; color black; pulp red. Quality good in Provence and at Nice.