Hi everyone! So I just joined this forum after reading about it from the Gardenwebs forum. I just got started gardening this summer and while I really enjoy my vegetable garden my attention has been grossly diverted to Fig trees after never having tried a real fresh fig ( I am a huge fan of dried figs and fig newton-_-" ;) So I thought that I would take the plunge and start learning more!

Now I was told by some people at the garden center at lowes that I wouldn't be able to grow any viable fig trees due to the cold in Northern Virginia (where I am) but after reading many posts and websites there seems to be info on the contrary. I know there are some people who grow them in southern/central VA but I am wondering if there's anybody here who know if they or someone they know has successfully grown them here? I'm in the Herndon/ Reston area to be specific.

I'm also hoping if anybody would be willing to send me any cuttings of their fig trees? I have been going a few Home Depots and Lowes to getting hands on a fig tree but they just seem to be getting away from me!

Thanks ;)


PS. Of course if anybody has any cutting (when available) I would be more than happy to pay for the shipping!!

Greetings and Welcome!!

Yes, yes, yes. There in Reston/Herndon area, depending on how much land you have, you will be able to grow lush wonderful fig trees either in either pots or right in the ground. Troll through the forum here and you will see that there are folks successfully growing figs all over the US of A. Funny that the Lowes salesperson discouraged you, in the springtime, Lowes was selling 100s of Black Mission, Hardy Chicago, Brown Turkey, possibly more.

Wanted to add that if you live on a smaller plot, or townhouse, you can easily sneak many plants in pots. The only requirement is a nice sunny area so your plant receives maximum amount of sun.

good luck!

zen, here's what you can expect, i attached a photo of Hardy Chicago that we just picked tonight.

Thanks for such a quick reply Maro2bear! Since my current home is just a lease atm, I am hoping to grow one in a large pot. I'm not so sure how much the salesperson knew ( I was pushed into asking them about growing one since my mom doesn't want me to grow anything that wouldn't be fruitful haha). Yes it seems that figs are survivors! I wish I was at the lowes that's selling all those figs! Ive got in contact with a lowes that's not to out of my area that has a Celeste and Brown Turkey so hopefully I can pick one up this weekend with any luck!

Have no fear. I'm in Alexandria, Virginia and have two healthy in-ground fig trees. The only thing to keep in mind is that you will need to protect them in winter while the trees are young. It's not hard. I just wrapped my trees in fabric from December through March. That's it! After about three years, you don't even need to do winter protection. Good luck.

welcome to the forum. there are members growing figs in canada. VA shouldn't be an issue if you keep them to container culture. also, there are cold hardy varieties that you can plant in ground in VA if you wish.

Hello ZenYang and welcome! I am also a newbie. You will find a lot of fine welcoming folk here, along with a wealth of information. Also, the cuttings will start flowing in the winter, or maybe somebody nearby can come up with a green cutting, or start for you, now. You're going to love it here.

Hi ZenYang! Welcome! I'm a new fig person as well, kind of in the same boat. I'm a couple hours southwest of you in the Harrisonburg area, and I think there are a few members living somewhere in between. If I come across any good sources in VA I'll let you know, and in the fall I probably have a cutting or two I could give you if you're passing through.

Happy growing!

Hi ZenYang,

I live in MD and I have a 2 year old hardy chicago in ground. It survived the last two winters in my yard without any special winter protection. This year there are about 50 figs on this tree. :-)

Have fun!

Welcome!

welcome!

Hi and welcome.Figs do very well in Virginia, whether in the ground or pots. Good luck.

Welcome to the forum.  You'll find lots of helpful information here.  

Wow! Thanks for all the welcome everyone! I'm finding that this community is very encouraging and exciting! I can't wait to grow my own figs ^_^

TVP - thanks for the welcome fellow newbie ;) I'm living between Northern Va and Richmond Va, so Harrisonburg isn't to far! Maybe one day I can make a trip to you! I hope to be Able to make new friends who enjoy gardening and figs in particular! Haha

Nanozhou - I'm so happy to hear your fig tree is producing well ;) I hope that once I get my fig tree started that it will be producing like yours! I'm learning/reading more and more that figs can survive our bipolar weather!