Hello all,
New to the forum so this is my first official post. A little bit on me...

I have been an avid gardener for quite some time now. I'm at least a 4th, maybe 5th, generation steward of the land. I live in central Alabama (zone 8A). I currently have the following figs in ground-Brown Turkey, Mission, LSU Improved Celeste and Panachee. When Spring on '14 arrives I will have the following added to my collection in ground as well-LSU Gold, LSU Hollier, LSU Scott's Black, Smith and Ventura. I will additionally be buying the following as gifts for family and will have access to-Green Ischia, LSU Champagne and O'Rourke. I do have other fruits on my property (pineapple guavas, blueberries, pawpaw, mayhaw, jujube, quince, peach, elderberries, persimmons, etc.) Most are young so I am in that force-you-to-be-patient process to get them nurtured and established to fruit bearing age.
 Most of my fruit trees have been acquired from Just Fruits and Exotics in FL. I don't work for these guys but I have 100% positive experience with them so I am paying it forward. I make an annual trip down to their nursery (about a 4 hour trip for me) and save a significant amount of $. I digress...This is after all about figs!!!
I look forward to learning more and corresponding with members from across the globe about this wonderfully wonderful little fruit. I suppose it's a bit presumptuous but my early wish list would be the following: LSU Tiger, Black Madeira, Native Black (from the Becnell farm in LA)

Best wishes and Godspeed to your fig growing,
Blake 

Blake, Welcome to the forum. I am 40 miles SW of Atlanta in the same zone 8a. What part of Alabama? I intend to put many of my135 or so varieties in the ground also. Not all them at my place but in the ground. Have you had much die back of your figs?

Welcome Blake. 

Hi Mike,
Thanks for my first response! I live in between Auburn and Montgomery. I had die back on my brown turkey last year but it was from a late freeze. I think I have the solution figured out until they are old enough to be hardy. I built cages around them (pictures to come). Where are you in GA?

Welcome to the forum. Nice intro

Blake, I am in Newnan which is about 30 SW of the Atlanta Airport or 40 miles from Atlanta. From the other direction I am about 100 miles
from Columbus. I have been to Auburn and Montgomery so I a familiar with the country there.

Welcome Blake
I have a couple of Native Blacks that I am currently rooting.  They are doing well and I will probably be able to provide cuttings next year.  Up to you to remind me, senior citizens rights, LOL  I wish I knew more about the Native Black, only reference I could find was a note in Becnel's about a French Black fig.

Thanks to everyone for the responses...
Newnandawg, we are truly lucky to live in the area we do. I was fortunate to inherit 5 acres in the country upon completion of college so there is plenty of room for me to grow my collection. I doubt it will get to 135 but I'll do my best.
dkirtexas- I will do my best. I've never sent or received any cuttings so a walkthrough would be in order. I will have some cuttings of the varieties I've listed earlier should you be interested.

Welcome to the forum Blake.

Welcome Blake and enjoy!

Welcome Blake, 100% agree on JF&E! I've ordered a bunch of plants from them and they are as good as it gets. I just received 3 figs from them today. Scott's Black, Imp Celeste and Smith.

Welcome, Blake.

Welcome to the forum. 

By sharing your growing experience with our forum members, whether triumphs, or, failures will be very helpful.  You already helped me make a decision. How?  I have a friend living in Hartselle, AL. and I'm sending him a fig tree.  It's his first.  I had no certain ideas about which varieties might do well in your Alabama climate, but after reading your listing of figs that you are growing, I can see that I have some options.

Sit back, and enjoy the ride.  The learning curve is quick.


Frank

Thanks for all the love folks! Its one of the reasons I joined. Bronx fig, thanks for the enciuragement. I will have some pics soon as I know seeing is believing.

Welcome.

Hello

Greetings and be welcome!

Welcome Blake

blake is a nice name. i like pete well enough, but it was more or less given to me without my input. when i came to US, i was told "your name will be peter".

anywho... welcome :)

Welcome to the forum...glad to have you on board.

Welcome, from a former Alabamian (Mobile, early 1990s). I too am a big fan of just fruits & exotics. Have two plants from them, Smith and Green Ischia. Good luck!

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome from , Tallahassee!

Just Fruits rocks? They are definitely aware of how many fans they have from this forum and are very appreciative.

Welcome Blake - best regard Jogjakarta Indonesia

Welcome Blake