The fig season begins once again with a ripe Hardy Chicago breba [edited] and the #$(@!* mocking birds. As described in previous years, Hardy Chicago is a must have due to its taste, 'closed' eye, early nature, and its ability to wrinkle and concentrate its sugars while still on the tree. Very good tasting fig (think berry jammy).



Here are some pictures from the same grounded Hardy Chicago in 2011-a, 2011-b, and 2012.

NUM, I'm jealous, I won't have fruit on mine until hopefully next year.
Enjoy that.

My hardy chicago still has green figs but they are growing nicly I am expecting the first to ripen up about late july here in illinois.

JD,

What is the source for your Hardy Chicago?  I have one from Raintree Nursery.  Every year it is one of the last trees to start ripening main crop figs.  Do you pinch the tree?  I think there may be more than one variety in circulation that is called Hardy Chicago.  My tree never produced fruit with such a long neck like in your photos.

Thanks for posting.  That fig looks delicious.

 wow so that's what HC is like!  I thought hardiness was it's claim to fame but looks like delish!

Joe,
Martin (Dieseler) gave me the Hardy Chicago scion more than three years ago. The grounded tree is more healthy and thus more productive than the potted one. I included the photos from 2011 and 2012 for reference. Yes, I agree that Hardy Chicago main crop usually does not have a long neck. This is breba. I edited my original post and noted this to avoid any confusion. Thanks for asking the question. There is no need for lack of information and I failed to mention that point.

Yeah I just noticed the neck. Mine are not as long eather. I got mine from hirts garden.

Same tree different year different crop. This image is main crop from 2011. The image in my first post is breba from 2013. No confusion about the main crop, however, I suppose we need a few more images of Hardy Chicago breba.

JD,

That makes sense.  If Martin gave it to you then it is definitely the real thing.  The long neck is probably because its a breba.  I haven't gotten any breba from my HC in previous years, but there are a few on it this year still waiting to ripen.  I like HC a lot.  It is a very tasty fig.  It handles the desert climate in AZ better than a lot of other varieties.

JD were you ever able to root any of those cuttings I sent you a couple of years ago from that unknown New Jersey tree?  In my yard it is very similar to HC, but it tends to grow stronger and produce more fruit.

Joe,
Yes. I have a cutting that is now a small tree of what you called "Unknown Joe's Jersey". It is potted. I need to check on how it is doing but I am certain that it is likely to produce figs in 2013.

JD,

Let me know what you think of the fruit when you get some.  I'd be interested to know how you think it compares to HC.

Hi JD ,
good to see your hardy chicago fruit and you like.
One of Ray Givens favorites and mine as well.        ; )

I guess it could be my zone. I only get one crop from my HC on the new years growth. I did root a HC cutting I got from another member to compair if they are the same. Think the cutting came from an EL tree while my tree came from hirts garden. Can't wait to see the differance if any.

Dave  types - I guess it could be my zone. I only get one crop from my HC on the new years growth.

Yes main crop only on new years growth and breba appears on old wood as shown in this picture .
This HC breba is right where old wood meets current growth.
Here breba usually falls off do to climate.

First picture from 2009 ,  last 2 pictures from 2010 a breba on plate and a minute later cut open for the last picture.

jd, once again.. your pictures are just amazing. i'm knocking all my Hardy Chicago Paradise Nursery figs off so i can get good figs next yr. it's only a yr or so old. 

I want one now. 

So I'm guessing if I would protect the tree over winter I might get a breba from my hc. I never did protect it as I was told it didn't need to with this fig.

I was thinking of growing one just for the brebas is this viable Or are they few and far between ?
I don't think the main crop would ripen too well for me in my area.

Luke,
It averages a handful of breba (2 to 6 per season) for me. We have had two thus far plus one for the bird(s), and there are two more in the fig protection program (FPP), i.e., 'hoffa' newspaper and 'bulger' clothes pins are on duty.

Pete and Martin,
Thanks.

Thats a good one JD - (FPP)

Thankful for bird netting...and Hardy Chicago!

thank god i already had my insulin shots today. those pictures are just lovely... the figs doesn't look bad either... J/K!!!

Now that's the perfect ripeness .
So often you see photos posted of figs picked 2 - 3 days early and think , how would it look if allowed to
ripen properly . No need to wonder here .

Thanks JD , great photos

John

I love....... HC

I did not protect from last winter. And it sprang up 4feet and 1/2 inch diameter. Now I have butt loads of figs. It is a must have. Vigorous too. Awesome in zone 6

I will be looking for this Hardy Fig....Looks Delicious.   I am in the process of buying some trees, because I found a huge lot
that a friend will rent to me cheap.......Got Lucky that I am in the Heart of California and can find trees.