Is anyone growing Lisa?  If so, I am curious where you are located, how it tastes,  and how it is doing for you.  Literature says it is hardy down to 0 F with protection.

Thanks.

C.J.

I see from Jon's site that the source of that information on "Lisa" was Reads Nursery in England. http://www.readsnursery.co.uk/acatalog/Black-Figs.html  There is a picture and the description.   I think that the key here is the statement "Hardy to 0 deg F with winter protection."     Perhaps someone can add the voice of experience with the "Lisa" variety, but I am thinking that most figs with proper winter protection can survive in cold climates.  I have one fig growing out in my yard (near Kansas City) that I trim down to a 4' trunk, screw an insulated plywood box together around it and it is good down to 10 below or more.   I do turn on a small wattage light bulb when it gets close to 8 deg outside (I don't know how much cold this fig can actually tolerate - it is an unknown variety).  With my set up, there is also some ground heat that keeps it warmer inside even when the lightbulb is not on (it is only on just a few nights every winter).

Better yet, check out Brunswick on the same site.  (under brown figs).  Anyone else see anything like that before?

~Chills

Yea, that Brunswick fig looks pretty crazy!

Ingevald,

Thanks.  Yes, I had checked the RN site but just wondered if anyone has grown this variety, and if so, how it tastes.  I'm going to try it anyway.

Your plywood box approach is interesting, but won't work to well for me as the location I am eyeing is about 60' from the house and any electrical source.  Next winter, I am going to experiment with  a 4' depth of leaves and a dark-colored tarp over a 6' x 6' area and a temperature probe to monitor soil temps over the winter.   I am hoping that  the combination of insulation and the dark tarp over a larger area will keep the interior of the soil temp above freezing.  Has anyone else tried this?

C.J.

Chills,

Yes I saw the pic of the Brunswick and first thought they had accidentally used a picture from some other exotic fruit.  Then I saw the smaller fig above it and read the description "pear-shaped".  Wild.

C.J.

I have it, from Read's Nursery. Fruited last year, a couple fruit - still a small plant. Looks promising.

Hello,

Ingevald,

Your neighbor is my kinda guy!  I'm going to try it...next year.  Thanks!

C.J.

Ingevald,
Do you happen to know what variety your neighbor has?

C.J.

Fellows;
My wellhouse is all above ground and out in the pasture, exposed to wind from any direction.  It is a simple plywood box with a sheet metal top folded over the edges.

Without heat the pressure tank and guages would freeze, so I must have heat.

To do this I obtained a plug-in receptacle that turns the current on at 35 degrees F and turns it off at 45.  The amount of heat it produces depends on the size of the bulb in the light socket the receptacle feeds.  I have two 100 watt bulbs in the fixture fed by this thermostatic receptacle and we've never had weather cold enough to freeze the water tank
Ox
\

Thermostatic receptacle.  Great idea, Ox.  How cold does it get out by you?

C.J.

The variety that he is growing is a Brunswick.   Not the best around here due to the occasional souring problem.