First a quick introduction and a few things about myself; A few years ago I purchased my first house, nothing great just a small rambler with a quarter acre lot.  Anyway I have discovered the joys of gardening and I am especially excited about growing exotic fruits for my area.
  I live in central Utah and while we have lots of apples, peaches, cherries etc. I want to try new things.  My wife thinks that I have gone crazy because I have planted artichokes, pawpaws, honeyberries and black berries in addition to our two apple and plum trees.  Naturally when I look at the garden magazines I always look at the figs and wonder what they are like to grow.  I have never tasted a fig and I see how so many people go head over hills for them, I have to try one! 
So if you have pointers for growing them or know where I can get good varieties for my area I would appreciate the help. 
I live in hardiness zone 6b with about 155 frost free days in a year.  The summers are very dry and relatively hot; most days are in the upper 80’s to low 100’s.  The soil along with the irrigation water is very alkaline, in some areas of Utah the soil can be up to 50% lime but I think it averages around 20%.  From what I have read on this forum I think the Marseilles Black VS would be a good choice for my area but I don’t know where I can purchase one?  Last springtime here can be unpredictable as fare as temperatures go.  One minute it feels like winter and is snowy while a week later it can reach 70 degrees during the day with the last frost typically being around the first to mid May.  Would this pose a problem for figs?  Thanks Greg

Welcome to the forum!  There are many figs that will grow where you are.  I'll let those who live in your type conditions tune in with that, but you will receive a lot of good tips and advice here.  I think Hardy Chicago would be good where you are. 

Suzi

I agree with Suzi. Hardy Chicago would be good. Most of us try them all eventually and find out what works for us and what we like to eat. Don't let your location necessarily dictate what you grow. We have members in far colder areas than yours who have extensive collections. Microclimates and greenhouses can extend your season. Have fun and welcome!

welcome to the forum.

hot dry summer.. lot of lime in soil.. that sounds like a good place for the fig. if season is not long, you can always grow the fig trees in containers. just take them into garage during the winter. or you can keep the tree inground and protect it before the first frost and uncover it after the  last frost.

fresh figs are awesome :)

Welcome, I think just about any type of fig will grow in your area.  Some are more sensitive than others but those sensitive one are sensitive everywhere.  Be careful, fig are addicting!  Years ago I had 3 small trees on my deck.  Today, I have pretty close to 500.  And 7 more came in the mail yesterday!!!!!

You can't beat the taste and amazing flavors of a fresh ripe fig!  Take some time and continue reading the past post from members here and pretty soon you will be talking "figology"!  Good luck and welcome!

cheers!

Thanks for the input I have been considering a Hardy Chicago and will buy one in the spring.  How much space does a fig tree take up when it is fully mature?  I need to decide if I should plant it in the garden or plant it in the yard.  I am going to wrap and protect the fig so that it can grow to a larger size instead of dying back every year.  Is the Chicago Hardy one of the figs that will eventually get cold hardy enough that you don't need to wrap it in winter?  I really don't mind taking a few extra steps wrapping one up for winter but I am concerned it may get hard to wrap if it actually grows into a tree.

Hi Greg,
Welcome to the forum.  Your yard sounds a lot like ours.  We have a half acre with four kinds of apples, grapes, cherries, peaches and several figs (one of the great joys of this forum).  I started Artichokes a few years back after seeing them on a visit to Williamsburg VA and seeing them growing in the gardens.  I dig the roots up after the leaves die back in late fall and bring them into the garage. 

Winter protection from what I have read is not too difficult.  Last winter we only had one fig tree and it received no protection. We were fortunate that it was a mild winter.  This winter we have several figs and they will all get protections.

Again, Welcome to the forum.

Your yard does sound similar to mine in fact it was the artichokes that got me started growing unusual plants for my zone.  I saw a little artichoke plant in a local nursery and grew just out of curiosity.  The first year it didn't make any buds but grew ok.  This year we got a bunch of artichokes that had a flavor far above what you get at the grocery store.  For the winter I cut the tops off, mulch the plant and dig it out in mid March.  Anyway hopefully a fig tree will be just as rewarding I have feeling it will be more. 

Hello Greg,

Welcome to the Forum. I am a life long gardener (currently practicing perennial permaculture gardening), but new to figs. There are several on line nurseries (Petals from the Past, Edible Landscaping, Etc.) That sell gallon plants which will usually produce fruit within the first growing season. Search for cold hardy and productive varieties on this website, choose common varieties for a start. English Brown Turkey, O'Rourke and "LSU varieties" from the above nurseries are all good candidates for your first fig plants. Search this site for potting mixes and re-potting information, re-pot as soon as you receive the  plants, they are usually root bound. Treat the young fig plants like annual vegetable plants ("start 6-8 weeks before last frost, etc") and you will have healthy growing fig plants ready to be acclimated outdoors by last frost. We are in similar zones but your summers are warmer and dryer, so you may have a greater choice of varieties. Happy gardening.

Welcome to this forum Greg....

There is no fruit that you have tasted that will compare to a properly ripened, fresh fig...that comes off of YOUR trees!  You will never look back with regrets after growing a tree that's so fast growing, and quick-to-bear-fruit.

You will not go wrong with "Hardy Chicago".  As other members have noted, it's easy to grow fig trees.  Overwintering and protecting your trees can be a little tricky, but after reading some very good information posted on this forum, you will do just fine.  If you have a cool garage, you will double your options on how to overwinter the trees.  Jump in with both feet.

Good luck, and check into the forum often.  Let us know how you are doing.


Frank