Hello all.

I just joined yesterday – I've been reading over the site for a while. There is a wealth of information here! Great site.

 I am in Dover, Oh 44622. It is 90 miles south of Cleveland. We are in zone 6a based on the new hardiness zone map. This mystifies me (especially after the severe winters the past two years) as we had been in zone 5 as long as I can remember.

 A month ago I started researching info on Asian persimmon and Asian pear trees to plant in my yard. I happened upon information about figs. I had never thought of growing figs, just always thinking it was not possible here. I am very pleased that assumption is wrong!

 So, now I really want to grow figs. I have never tasted a fresh fig – just dried and stewed.  I think it's about time.

I have been reading a lot – enough to realize I can't just buy any fig.

 I would like to grow one or two plants in containers(and perhaps try one in ground). I need some location specific advice.

•  Suggestions for varieties that grow and produce well here given our climate and length of growing season.

• I've been drawn to Nagronne(Violet de Bordeaux), Celeste, Verte, Makadonia Dark, LSU Gold. I'd like to hear your experiences with these varieties but I'm wide open to suggestions to consider.  Younger bearing types would be preferred (I can be patient but I'd rather not have to be!) as well as ripening earlier in the season.  Breba crop would be nice to have, but not a deal breaker.

• Taste is so subjective it is hard to give advice but I think I want richer flavor over just sweetness. It seems difficult to glean that from the descriptions I read about figs. How does a Nagronne taste vs a Verte vs a Celeste – that sort of thing.

• Buying sources. I find no selection at local nurseries. Online I am thinking of Edible Landscaping, Trees of Joy and/or Bay Flora. I would lke to buy local if possible, where I could select my trees in person. Recommendations in the Akron, Canton, Cleveland (a bit less convienient) areas would be welcomed.

• Do you know of fig growers close to me? Canton and Akron and Cleveland areas would work if any propagate and sell what they grow. I'd also enjoy feedback from those close by.

I am a chilihead. I'll be growing 25 varieties of peppers this year(mostly hot) and I understand the “need” to grow more and more types and I gather this is how many of you feel about figs!

I am going to keep that urge under control with my fig adventure(famous last words before I suddenly fing myself owning 10 or 15 fig trees!)

There are so many figs from which to choose.  It is difficult for a complete novice to know what to start with.  I'd like to make the most educated choice as to the first figs I grow and position myself with the best opportunity for success.  Chiliheads send each other boxes of peppers so we get to "try 'em before we buy 'em".  That's not so feasible with figs.  So, I'll go it on faith.

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Dave and welcome to the forum. Good luck with trying to keep the urge under control, not too many of us are successful with that.

Welcome to the forum Dave and best of luck with your new fig growing endeavor ( addiction )! I would start with a Chicago Hardy( personal experience ,bares young ,very good taste) ,RDB( don't have one but I hear it is very cold Hardy and awesome fig to have) and then any or all the ones you mention. The possibilities are endless my friend.

As far as sources ! The ones you mention are very reputable. Also get with your local Home Depot and lows and ask if they could order what you're looking for. They usually get shippements from growers that do carry fig trees and just don't order any because there's no market demand for them in your area.I got some very nice ones from Home Depot!

Welcome to the forum. Yes the last 2 years here have been brutal but I dont think that will continue. Hope not anyway.
Hardy chicgo is a good one. It was my first one. I planted it 5 years ago. It did fine the first 3 years with no protection. Last 2 years it died back to the ground but it recoveres nicely.
Last year that was all I had. All my cuttings had molded so no luck there. I learned a lot though and am now back on track. I added 8 more varieties today. I have 8 more coming next week. I have about 170 cuttings in the fridge and 40 more that are rooting. Another 40 on the table I am getting ready to start. If all goes well I should have over 200 trees this year. Far cry from the 1 I started with last year LOL.

figtree.net is where todays order arrived from. 20 bucks each or 2 for 30. Nice healthy trees and better than most you will buy on ebay. Most are suitable for your growing area as well. You can go there and read the descriptions. If you are seriously only going to grow a few trees than I would just buy a few and forget trying to go through the rooting process.
Once you have your first fresh fig I suspect you will turn into one of us. hahahahahhaa. Then you'll either be looking for a greenhouse recommendation and or looking to move to a different zone, like 8 at a minimum. :).
Good luck.

Welcome,

LSU Gold - A great fig, down here, don't know about up there.
Hardy Chicago - the name kinda says it all.

Good luck

I AM IN ZONE 5 almost 6 .. I grow in pots .. store in cool room in winter I have six trees

Yep, 6A. I haven't been intrepid enough to put anything in ground  yet. Ischia Green (or Green Ischia, if you prefer) does well for me. Chiapetti is going great guns for me. Celeste drops 80-90%. Negronne is good. Troiano Calebrese does well. Try a few and see what likes you and give away the rest.

Two words


Hardy Chicago

Welcome!  Hardy Chicago, Ronde de Bordeau and Desert King will be great for you.  We have some very experienced people in Ohio.  Search for posts by MNedelcu and look for his offerings on ebay.

Welcome! I am in the same zone as you, but Toledo area NW of you. 


My plan this year is to grow in pots again, much like you. This time, not killing anything haha! There is plenty of info by all the brilliant experts around here. 


So far I am trying a Fico Pesca d' Oro which hails from San Diego. How it will perform here I'll let you know and share if it's worth anything. I love love love peaches & this one has a peach like flavor supposedly. I could just get a peach tree probably, but I hear that the peach crop was destroyed around here this spring. It was a chilly one. Heck the forecast shows nights in the forties this week...keep wanting to get the warmth loving veggies out into the garden, but that'll stunt them real good. One week it's hot, the next cold. About as indecisive as I am... 

Thanks for the comments, all.  

I pulled the trigger today and ordered a Petite Negra and an Italian Honey Fig from figtrees.net.  I had thought these would be good choices for me.  They turned out to be Joe's reccomendations as well.  

After I get my feet wet with these I'd like to try my hand at rooing some cuttings.  I'm very interested in White Triana and Col de Dame Noir (if I can find anywhere to buy cuttings).

I'll be growing in containers but would like to try a Hardy Chicago in the ground as well.  If it lived it would be a cool landscape perennial.