Hi all:

My name is Bill. I am a physician with a gardening hobby in middle Tennessee, 7A.  I have have a few young fig trees on a southfacing wall, just in their 2nd season in ground.

I think I would like to start a small commercial fig operation serving my area.  I love figs, I think no one else around here is doing this, and I have some nice acreage to work with.  I would like to eventually supply better restaurants and markets with fresh fruit.  I like the fact that figs do not require spraying or irrigation in my area once established.  My hardiness zone may be marginal for a fig farm with open in the ground trees, but perhaps the right varieites with the right care might succeed.

I am rooting Marseilles VS Black, Ronde De Bordeaux, JH Adriatic, Sal's G, Gino's, Hardy Chicago, LSU Gold, Vista.

I would appreciate any advice on all apsects of such an operation, including varieties, care, marketing, etc.

Looking forward to getting to know you all better.

Bill
 TN 7A

Worry about the early, early, season. Add Florea and/or Improved Celeste.

Sal's is a good choice, but here it has problems with mold inside the eye. While MBvs does not, and ripens better late in the season.

Welcome to the forum

Welcome Bill :)

Bill...thank you for the nice intro, and a warm welcome to the Forum...sounds like a great idea with the commercial fig production for your local area...there is another member who's plan is to grow figs and other produce to supply food banks in his area with nutritious food to distrubute to the locals....good luck with your plans, and all the best to you as you expand your horizons into the commercial market.

Welcome to the forum.

I would suggest the Celeste, Improved Celeste, if you have nematode problems, and/or Brunswick (Magnolia).  There was once a large commercial fig operation in East Texas and the majority of those operations used these two trees.  I am in Zone 7b/8 and they do well here although the Celeste seems to be a little later in ripening but certainly soon enough to avoid winter.  I think the decision has to be made as to whether you want a gourmet fig, or a production fig, there is a compromise somewhere in there.  You could do both.

Here, the going price for "pick your own" is $6-$9 a lb, when you can get them.  Beside the road, it is $5-$6 for an egg carton full (12) again, when you can find them.

Good luck, wish you well.

Florea +++

Add it if there is any left. Welcome to the forum

:-)

Jenny

Welcome to the forum Bill.

Where-abouts in Middle TN are you? I live a few miles south of Murray, KY - right near the TN line. It's good to see another member not too far from my "neck of the woods". I think there is yet another member in the Nashville area.

As for cold hardy varieties to consider. Some folks have mentioned a few already, so you will see duplicates in the following:

- Brunswick
- Danny's Delight
- MBVS
- Hardy Chicago
- Florea
- Gino's Black (maybe)
- Haikel Lebanese (this is one I found doing well locally. It may be a Brunswick variety)
- Celeste

Exploring many of the Celeste types and Celeste hybrids may yield positive results. There are many fig varieties that will re-grow from the soil line and still produce fruits in the same season. For example, varieties such as LSU Purple should do pretty good at this. I have at least one unknown variety that seems to be very cold sensitive and dies all the way back to the soil line every winter. In spite of this, the parent tree still produces an abundance of ripe fruit.

Just a few things to think about. Hope this helps. 

Welcome! Best of luck with your plans. Kathleen Black is another one to consider.

  Everyone--thanks for the great imput and for making me welcome. 

Saxonfig--- we are almost neighbors. i am in Murfreesboro, TN. perhaps we can exchange some cuttings or plants some day.

Hi Bill. So, that's SE of Nashville right? Fig growing should be just a little easier for you over there.

I'm sure we'll work out some trades or some such sooner or later :) . 

Here's a link where a few of us from around the KY/TN area where having a discussion: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/any-fig-people-in-kentucky-4688583

I've met Mario, Sara, and Dave. 

-Bill.

Welcome mister Pawpaw, good to see another fignactic in the making.Reading your post i thought i might be of some help to you.I have magnolia's and Hardy Chicago for the taking and also Desert King. Mine are large plants(tree's). You are welcome to take the tree's if you like and i help you dig them out.I live on Beaver Lake, N.W.Arkansas.You are able to go home with a bunch of stuf.

Bill.
I'm probably five years behind you in being settled but a couple ahead in that I've been collecting the trees for my orchard for a while now. I hope to buy another farm in 5 years and I should have all the 5 to 7 year old trees I need in containers by then as well. As far as varieties, etc., I'm sure you've already learned that closed eye early ripening figs should be your first target. There is a farm near me with a 400 tree grove. If you want to PM me we can set up a time to talk as our goals overlap quite a bit.
In the mean time we're glad to have you. Welcome.

Hey Bill, first welcome, you chose some interesting figs. I'm in Charlotte, NC. I have a friend that raves about a fig called Chicago Ridge. Have you heard of it? It's suppose to be super hardy and great for your area. Ask for it from your local hardware stores like Lowes and Tractor Supply. Chicago Ridge might be the same as Hardy Chicago which is an excellent fig that's super hardy. I'm curious if Chicago Ridge and Hardy Chicago are the same.

Bill here is a post from the past that may be worth looking at in terms of figs for market.
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Figs-and-the-Solar-Geothermal-Greenhouse-3072396?highlight=missouri+greenhouse+figs