Hello all,

I suppose after some posting here and there the past couple weeks I should properly post and introduce myself.

I'm growing in SE Pennsylvania (Berks County), Zone 6b. I currently only have a Brown Turkey in the ground (I know, I know, most of you seem to dislike BT) that may or may not have survived the polar vortex's since I planted it rather late in the season and didn't get to protect since my daughter was born and that's been a little time consuming.

I run a nursery for a garden center and have a degree in horticulture, so I know my way around plants pretty well (not trying to brag!).  However, figs are something you don't see addressed much in zone 6 gardening, so I'm a relative newbie on this topic.

My plan for the upcoming year is to have 3-5 varieties in ground that need as little protection as possible. I have plenty of other fruits (blueberries, pear trees, pawpaws, raspberries, etc etc) to tend to and don't want the fuss of containerized figs or babying/protecting through the winter.

Are there any figgies in PA who have variety suggestions on what has worked well in ground for them? I know a cold winter could knock them out even if others have had luck and each site is different, but any suggestions are good ones. They will planted on a west facing bank or along a west facing garage.

I have cuttings of Hardy Chicago (from 2 sources) trying to root and some BT rooted and leafed out in case the outside one croaks. I'm planning on trying Hardy Chicago and Olympian, as I can get/have through work easily and cheap. I'm pondering Lattarula (also can get through work) along the garage, but since it seems mostly Breba I'm unsure about successful cropping. Reading other threads, I'd love to try Sal's, Celeste, Marseille VS, and VdB (maybe) since they seem to be relatively available and hardy but don't want to put out money without some community input. On Bass's site (he's only about 45 minutes northwest of me) he seems to have several varieties that would be good but I'm hesitant to try something rare and and lose it either in the rooting process or in winter.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to any ideas!

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your nice introduction!  I wish I could be of help but I am in Southern California, so not sure what the best for PA is.  Good luck to you!  Looking forward to your horticultural expertise!

Suzi

Try Maggie's website (italiangirl on the forum). She is in PA and has many good varieties to choose. Also, check out NJ fig sellers, they are close by and similar climate, eg Bill's figs. Welcome!

Welcome!

I am relatively new to figs with limited experience but have been listening carefully to all of the advice on this forum.  I would suggest that you get a few hardy plants as you have suggested, and keep your eye out here for people offering cuttings from hardy named varieties or unknowns for the cost of postage or for minimal fee.  I have 12 varieties rooting for my first try at this, using a couple of rooting methods found here.  There seem to be many varieties growing in the NE that would work in your zone that require little-to-no winter protection (well, at least for usual winters) for established several-year-old in-ground plants. 

Good luck!

Hello and Welcome "&" :)

"My plan for the upcoming year is to have 3-5 varieties in ground"

Hold onto your hat; if you're like the rest of us, you may find that estimate increases GREATLY!!!
Have Fun!!!

Hello Ampersand,
Welcome to the forum community.
Two members have been trialing figs in ground in the northeast they are Herman2 (NJ) and Robertharper (CT). Here are a few topics that have names of hardier cultivars. Good Luck.

Florea, Gino's, Hardy Chicago, Malta Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals Gene, Tacoma Violet

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1277626201&postcount=1
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=5932236  .

I think Bass at Trees of Joy should have several great choices for you.  He has a lot of hardy varieties besides rare ones.  Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to the fig world. I'm sure I can help you out find the right variety. 

welcome. let us know how many trees you have at the end of the yr :) 

Hi Ampersand,
Welcome to the forum.
Why don't you want to protect those deliciously fruiting and so cute in ground trees ?

Since 2012, I go by "Better safe than sorry ! " , and if you don't protect in zone 6 ... You'll be sorry a lot even with cold hardy varieties.
Of course, in between houses, you'll have better chances - mine are in the middle of gardens - so no heat source.
So now I protect them better, and in 2013 I got some interesting results - If it continues like that, I'll have to put an higher fence, to prevent neighbors from being tempted to jump over.

Don't hesitate to try, and let us know what the outcomes are. It's always interesting to hear about the successes and losses of other members.
An advice: Don't forget to take photos. Fig trees grow so fast, that it is hard to remember year after year how/when the trees grew .

Hi Ampersand,

I am just south of you in Lancaster. I have over 80 varieties and can help you out. I have 8 varieties in the ground, and have been growing figs for over 10 years. I have been trialing varieties that will work in our climate. PM me if you would like my help, cuttings, or plants. Bill

Of the ones you mentioned I would forget about latarulla and vdb, just not cold hardy enough.  Hardy chicago is borderline here until a number of years old.  Sals genes strain has worked here without protection

In addition to your in-ground trees it could be worth growing a "handful" in containers. This would allow you to branch out into tasty varieties that aren't so cold hardy :)

Ampersand,

I'm in Berks county as well (Douglassville). Most of my figs are in containers and brought in for the winter. I do have a bronx white in a 1g pot if you want a cold hardy light fig. I plan to plant a few in ground this year as well.

Nick

Hi Ampersand! 

I'm a shade warmer than you outside of Philadelphia and also new to figs this year.  I also am interested in ground hardy varieties.  Hardy Chicago seems like one of the most reliable in others' opinions; I think we just have to try and see what makes it. 

It seems like a bit of extra protection the first few winters is a good investment to get plants established in the ground.  Of course, after a bunch of mild winters, it seems like this year will be a real test for a lot of us!

I am starting this year with a few cuttings I got through the generosity of another member of this forum.  Feels like a long way to my first fig, but have been warned there is no such thing as one (I guess that is why I am already up to 4 varieties). 

Good luck, and it is great to hear of other forum members in the area.  Let's keep in touch!

AscPete had a good list.  There's also Nordland.  Having a few in containers lets you extend your fig season.  Desert King will start you off earlier.  Since you have a greenhouse you could put some late season varieties there.  Things like Col de Dame Gris or Black, Panache, etc are some of the best tasting figs out there.  I don't know how they compare with Maltese Falcon and Maltese Beauty and I don't know what part of the year the last 2 produce figs in.  It would be a shame to miss out on the best figs available when you already have the facilities to grow them.

Philagardener, I'm in Philly and there is at least one other current member who is as well. How near to Philly are you? Ampersand there are several figs that are hardy around here, many are unknowns but plenty of named varieties as well. I'll add Latarolla, not the same as Latarulla, but hardy and tasty.

@BLB, I'm far enough out along the Main Line to lose most of the benefit of the city's heat island effect.

If you are in town, I would guess that you can pick up at least a zone or more of hardiness and be able to grow a lot in containers without much protection.  Is that consistent with your experience?

This winter has been tough and is going to stay that way for a while.  I think we are going to have a much better sense of what is hardy next Spring.  And what was not :<(

All of my containerized figs require a winter in the garage. Leaving them out is a sure way to kill them as being in a pot they are not afforded the protection of inground trees. I do agree, however, that living in the city increases the zone by about a half or so. Philly is considered 7a, you are likely in zone 6