Moved and for now in a rental place in Raleigh, but we have found some land in Hillsborough and are in the process of building. Now need to plan for the fig orchard! I've been checking around for varieties, and it seems similar to Texas that many varieties grow here. Are there any I should be careful with putting in ground and save for the greenhouse?

I did have a plan for where to get my trees, but it may not come through, without going into that drama, if anyone knows good places in the area to secure cuttings now may be a good time for me to start rooting them before planting either this fall or next spring.

Thanks!

Welcome!  I'm located in Charlotte.  I'm in zone 8a per the USDA.  You're probably in 7b.  I've lived here 12 years and originally from this area, wife is too.  But whenever we get snow storms up I-85, the Carolinas get hit hard with snow and then comes the ice.  But the good thing about those storms is it only last for a day or 2 max, then the sun comes out.  As for a greenhouse, I have 2; an 8x6 and a 12x20.  I do winterize some figs in mine, but not all.  Most of my 700+ trees remain outside unprotected 24/7.  But your Black Jacks, Black Missions, Votatas, Black Madeiras and Black Ischias and others must be winterized.  If not they will die back to the ground yearly.

A good source for figs is Rabbit Ridge.  The owner, Fred is a good guy.  He's a few minutes South of you in Fuqya Varina.  Here is his website:  http://www.rabbitridgenursery.com/fruit/figs

If I decide to hold a fig festival this year, I'll let you know.  At the moment, I'm working on one for either the 5th or the 12th of August.  I have not confirmed that but will soon.  The last one I had in Charlotte was great and we would love to have you.  Again, welcome.

Thanks Dennis. 

Yes I was in 8a before in Dallas and now in 7b. I sold off all my plants (except a couple) before moving. Since I'll have 12 acres, will be planning a lot of fig, pawpaw and feijoa! I still have yet to plan my greenhouse, but likely will spend some money on a custom one. I grew mango, lychee and atemoya in Texas in my greenhouse, so hoping the same thing here since it's not that much colder. I'll keep a bit of space for some of the more sensitive black figs as they are my favorite of course!

I'll look up rabbit ridge and see if I can make it to see him, FV isn't too far.

Definitely will be interested in a festival, will you post about it here? Or how will I find out when/where it will happen?

Thanks again :)

yeah, I'll post here and send out an email to those who would like to come.  Here is a link to the last won we had:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/ot-southeastern-fig-festival-charlotte-nc-7325090?&trail=100

Dennis,

I live in Cary and would very much like to attend your fig festival in August.

I just got into figs two years ago but now have about 40 fig trees that I started from cuttings.  Nothing too exotic - Brown Turkey, Black Mission, Celeste, Brunswick, two unknowns and a wild fig.

I hope to add Kadota, LSU Purple and Alma by August.

About to get into Pawpaws in a week or two when I visit the nursery in Pittsboro.

Tad

Welcome,

I live about 10 miles south of you in Cary, NC.

Good sources for cuttings are the church gardens in your area and here in Cary.  I always ask the custodian first and sweeten the deal with a rooted Brown Turkey or Black Mission.

The Raleigh Farmers Market for fig trees and just walking around Raleigh and Cary I often encounter fig trees where I can obtain a cutting by asking the owners.

You will like Hillsborough - a nice city with a lot of history and nice people.

Tad

Thanks, we are actually in Morrisville for the time being, we really like the area and decided on Hillsborough mostly because of the land we found, but it does look like a great place, so we are happy to have found it. Since I work from home the biggest challenge was internet, which moving here I thought would have been the last of my concern hearing about Google fiber and all.

I tasted my first pawpaw in Pittsboro at the market there. The guy that supplies them grows his own seedlings. The best varieties are the patented Peterson pawpaws from all reports, I'm planning to plant one of each and see which ones do best in my area.

I used to have several fig trees including VdB and LSU Purple, but gave them all away leaving Texas. They were pretty small so I couldn't really harvest cuttings or I would have done that.

Thanks for all the info and advice!

The guy in Pittsboro you mentioned, would it by any chance be Wynn Dinson?  If so, you should see his Paw Paw patch!  What a site to see!  I've visited Wynn his place several times.  He's a good guy!  He sold me some of this seedlings.  If you come to my fig gig, you will see the 40+ Paw Paws I have planted.  They are Peterson and other varieties and multiples of some.  There is a Paw Paw festival every year in Winston-Salem.  I went last year and was planning on going this year until they announced it was cancelled this year.  Here is a list of varieties I have planted:

Allegheny
Davis
KSU-Atwood
Mango
NC-1
Neal
Overleese
Pennsylvania Golden
Potomac
Rebecca’s Gold
Shenandoah
Sunflower
Susquehanna
Sweet Alice
Taylor
Taytoo
Wells
Wilson
Lehman's Chiffon
Mitchell
Prolific
Green River Belle
Lots of Seedlings
Rappahannock
Collins
GAINESVILLE
Sweet Potato

Dennis,

Wynn is the person that came heavily recommended by people at the Raleigh and Cary farmers market.

I am trying to get down to Pittsboro in the next two weeks and see his vast selection of Pawpaws.  I was in contact via email with him last year.

Very impressive collection of pawpaws that you have!

Just emailed the Forsyth Extension office inquiring about the cancelled Pawpaw festival.

Hope to see you in August!

Tad

Hi Dennis, Am in new to NC an living in Huntersville. I would very much love to see all your figs, and attend your fig festival.