Greetings All

Really nice pleasant day here in Maryland as well considering that it is 5 October! The way early spring and Summer started out with cool temps, coupled with tons of rain, i never thought anything would ripen AND taste good. Things changed around in late summer with less rain and nice warm temps.

Attached is a picture of my in-ground Hardy Chicago with nice bunch ready to harvest later today or tomorrow.

Mark, those look beautiful. Enjoy!

When you think there ready try only one and leave the rest on longer and compare on your palate.
You will  notice something.  ; )

Yes sir

I plan to leave them on all day today, probably tomorrow. Monday and Tuesday, weathermen calling for heavy rains and cold temps. Hopefully tomorrow's hot temps and sun will finish them off. Might be my last of this year :-(

Beautiful figs, nice pics. Beautiful variety. I really should add it to my collection! Thank you for sharing.

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

Best,
Tam

Thanks everyone. I'll have PLENTY of cuttings later this fall if anyone is interested.

Very nice of you Mark. 

Best.
Tam

Greetings all, just wanted to include some pictures of HC and Conadria as they look freshly sliced. I have about 15 more HC that should still ripen this year. Going to be nice almost 90 degrees and full sun again today. Should help things along.

Just great!!!!

Here I am, all excited just imagining the taste of my Hardy Chicago as they catch the last rays and warmth of this Autumnal sunshine. My dilemma, should I pick them all, let them hang on a few more days, pick them right before the big storm?

Well, I decided to let them hang on a few more days 'til they are perfect....then BAM...they are gone!

Up until today, NO squirrel damage!!!

Post No.1 shows them just a few days ago.. :-(

I am so sorry! I know all about the tree rats. Please get yourself some organza bags. They leave the bagged ones alone for the most part.

Sorry that the tree rats got you figs- I have not had many problems with them lately and then last week they stole a few Battaglia that were ripening just like they did to you

Thanks All

There were about five still left on another branch, so I took the opportunity to grab those while they stll exist.

Hey Mark, sucks about the little critters filling their belly with some of your late season HC's. Fortunately, they didn't get to all of them. I noticed today that my espalier HC is starting to ripen a good bit of figs. The 10 day forecast is nothing but low to mid 80's and plenty of sunshine. In my humble opinion a very ripe HC is a very underrated cultivar. I'm looking forward to eating a few this week. I've also got a good bit of Negronne, VDB, Malta Black, LSU Gold, White Marseille and Black Maderia starting to swell. These should help a little after a very disappointing summer crop.

Charles

Just thought I would share my MD Hardy Chicago. Ate these right before the rain started falling. 

Frank: Good, thanks for sharing.

Best,
Tam

Mine is still pumping out the figs, too.  Nothing like an in-ground tree.