There's a farmer here who supplies one of the big organic labels with tomatoes, berries and a few other things.  He grows figs as well.  The berries and figs are also U-pick.  I went there once to buy berries and found he had heirloom tomatoes so I got some of them, too.  We started talking and now every time I come he loads me up with as much as I can carry ("you have neighbors, right?") and doesn't let me pay. 

You know the type because many of you are just like that.  Outrageouly generous.  A few days ago I found out that figs are more than just a crop to him.  He LOVES figs.  He only has desert king and an unknown that doesn't bear.  He only wants figs that grow in ground without protection (zone 8, but we occasionally get hard freezes) I gave him a Vern's Brown Turkey, I have an Oregon Prolific almost ready, a Chicago Hardy and have started an airlayer of Kathleen's Black and VdB.  Any othe suggestions on what else I should give him?

Back to desert king.  He showed me his dryer full of figs, took me out to his trees and gave me about 5 lbs of perfectly ripe figs.





He says he doesn't do computer stuff but I'll get him on here if I can.

Wow!  I don't know who's luckier, you or he?  Sounds like a good person to know.

You are paying it forward, and so is he!  Nice neighbor to have!  Enjoy your figs!
Suzi

Hi Bob
Beautifully desert king figs, I have a desert king that had 10 figs on it I could not wait to taste them, When they looked ripe I pick them and they were very dry and uneatable, It's a one year old tree,Would you know what caused it?
Vito

Give him starts. Let's get more variety available in the commercial fruit market.

Andrew, I'm the lucky one.  He's worked very hard and loved every minute of it.  I just showed up.  Everything I'm giving him I was either given or bought.  Not much effort on my part.

Vito, were the figs coming off green wood (this season's growth) or hardened wood from last season?  Do you have photos of the figs inside & out?

Dale, I listed above what I'm giving him but if you have other suggestions that would produce unprotected in the winter in the PNW I'm all ears.  He doesn't sell his figs, though.  He eats all he can fresh and dries the rest.  Plus he lets people pick them as part of his u-pick operation.

Hi Bob
The figs where on the old wood ,the figs where on the tree before new wood started to grow.
I don't have pictures.

Vito

 Bob,
       If he lives close to I-5. I have a Stella and or and Italian Honey (AKA Lattarula) That I can Part with for a good cause. I am about an hour north of Portland.

Wow great looking trees and nice story!