Took some photos of some of my in ground fig trees as snow and freezing temperatures are fast approaching. Thought it may be of benefit to novice cool climate growers that may not be aware that it is relatively easy to have tons of figs to eat in cool climates even in late October.
You do need to have the space to grow figs in ground and do need to learn the basics of fig growing in cool climates. The key is choosing hardy figs and providing some protection from the winters.
Of course if you have the determination you can grow your figs in containers but that is another story..lol
Still have many figs swelling and colouring on the Ciccio, Dalmatie and fico bianco trees. The coming (forecasted) hard frost will knock off the leaves and the remaining figs will stop ripening. Although many look almost ready anyway so should be fine for eating or processing.
Some consider this sad compared to California but I have been pulling off a basket of figs a day from mid September and have a freezer full of figs. Will have figs in my smoothies all year round. This time of year the colour is not as pronounced and most are not super sweet but they are sweet enough and still taste great.
This year I considered protecting them with a poly cold frame but most of the figs will ripen anyway (due to pinching and thinning) so not worth the effort to mount the poly. Also I think it is better to let nature takes its course and let the fig trees go dormant slowly rather than artificially keeping the temperature up and then letting them be subject to sudden sub-freezing.
Now to harvest some cuttings and let them go to sleep for the winter. Will have them covered with winter protection by mid November.
Enjoy and comments always welcome.
