What I mean for BEST figs is that I have been looking for a fig tree that ripens early and has a very sweet flavor...One that holds up well until they are ripe.

I am tired of getting late warm weather, and not being able to put my figs out until about May..It gives me very little time for most of my 21 trees to do anything but grow a green fig just ti loose it because it will not ripen by September...

I do have a few varieties, I am hoping the ones mentioned are ones I do not have as of yet, if so I have no chance at all for success with these trees...

Mike...

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/great-figs-for-zone-5-and-colder-8049648

Goutte d'Or (Italian honey) does well for me here in Nova Scotia... testing Børnholme (from Denmark) but it's still very young.

Mike, what varieties are you now growing.

I'm in Western Massachusetts. I've been successful with Hardy Chicago and Violette de Bordeaux. I do recommend using any season extenders available to you. It can make a huge difference in New England. I've got some other varieties that I hope will produce this year. I'll post about any other successes at the end of the season.

My frost free date is mid May, but I put the trees out earlier and protect from stray late frosts. You could try doing that with just a few of your trees.

Hi,
What strains fo you have ? In ground ? In pots ? How old are the trees (age at your location/garden) ?
Figs will ripen a bit quicker on an older tree... Provided the tree does get shaved to dirt level each year.
My Dalmatie has been ripening her figs 3 weeks sooner after the age of 6 years - in ground... 3weeks, that makes a huge difference !
My frost free date is mid-may oo, but usually, the trees wake up on 1st of April and grow slooooowly and then grow at a better pace after mid-may.
I loose some breba figs though in that time-frame .