I am considering putting one of these 2 in the ground.  I am in zone 7 and am guessing they are cold hardy enough for the ground.  Does any one have both of these in ground?  Any main differences between the 2?  Even if you grow them in pots please give me your feed back (any zone) on any aspect of these figs.  I have a few year old rdb in a pot and it grows like a monster but I don't think that's enough of a reason to chose rdb.  They even have fairly similar leaves.  Thanks in advance.

From what I read the Nero 600m is suppose to be very cold hardy and grows vigorous. I'm sure it can survive 600m on a mountain then zone 7 shouldn't be a big problem. I myself would throw the Nero 600m in the ground. However if your RDB is out growing the pots then I would put it into the ground first. If it does well then next year I would put in the Nero. 

I was wondering the same thing, Ed. But I would be so sad if they died to the ground after growing them for 3-5 years with no large backup.

I would go with the Nero 600. As I recall, Herman rated it very high for taste, so go for it Ed, live large!  

Barry, live large?  I thought rdb was a larger fig?~

Ed, which one you decided to plant in ground...
Mark

Ed, I'm not sure which one is the larger sized fig, but I do believe the Nero 600 to be larger in taste. That would be my choice between the 2. RDB is a good fig,  best reasons to grow it are it's earliness and hardiness, Nero 600 per Herman, is very good in taste. I haven't eaten a Nero 600 yet though so I am going on Herman's word. I have had RDB and was a bit disappointed considering all the hype. 

I put whatever I can in ground for now. They are happier in ground and grow faster. If they are not big and strong enough, I will dig them out when winter comes. If the new branch has harden, I will do air layer in the mid of September to make a backup. Then cover the remaining with mulch.

hard to say which one would be better for the in ground. have both, but they are both in containers. but i do notice that RdB grows very fast and it doesn't like heat too much. needs almost daily watering once the temp here goes up above 85. Nero 600M seems to take heat little better.

Ed,
  Herman2 reports that Nero600M is hardy, prolific and tasty here in NJ.  (I think he's in zone 7a.)  I don't know for sure about RDB, but if you do a search on his postings he regularly reports what varieties are doing well in the ground for him.  I vaguely recall folks in the NJ/PA area reporting it as hardy, but don't quote me.
  If you're in NY zone 7 I assume you're in the NYC area or out on Long Island...
Jim

Ed, I'm wondering what you decided re. the RdB vs Nero 600m.  I have a RdB that is 2 years old in a ~ 12 gallon container and a Nero 600m that I rooted in January (in a 1 gallon container).  I have a spot in my front yard for a fig and am also trying to decide between these two. My original thought was to put RdB in the space; however, the space is not so great for a really aggressive grower like RdB.  The Nero 600m is quite young so it would be a bit risky to put it in the ground so soon.  I would probably make a back up airlayer late in the season.   So far, even though it is young there are hints that the Nero 600m is more bushy/compact than most figs and this would be a bit of an advantage in that spot.  Can anyone confirm that this is the case for mature Nero 600m trees?  Further, can anyone tell me how aggressive a grower Nero 600m is as compared to RdB?  Does anyone know their relative cold-hardiness?  Thanks!

I did a little more research and the planetfig website lists Vallecalda (apparently a synonym for Nero 600m) as a very strong grower.  It also indicates it has a spreading habit and tends to sucker easily.  Maybe I should consider a 3rd variety???  If anyone is growing both of these I would love to hear your comments on their growth etc., especially if you are growing in-ground.  Herman2???

Thanks Alan.  RdB is definitely a keeper for me, in part for the reasons you mentioned.  What I need to decide is wether to keep in a container or put it in the ground.

RdB is supposed to be an early fig. mine has good number of main crop  on it. however, not as early as JHA.

Hi Rewton,
Here "ronde de Bordeaux" is what is sold as more suitable for cold climates.
It is a good grower that rarely sets brebas or they mostly drop.
So you could easily keep it small by pruning with no side effect for your harvest.
I don't have access to nero 600m - can't help on that one.

I have both in-ground here.  Had a horrible winter and both froze to the ground (-5F) but both are sprouting back.  I have a backup of both in pots, just to be safe. I tend to like my figs in the ground too.  Somewhat less fuss that way.

Tim

Steve, it want help you any now but I just put both in the ground this spring.

Tim, do you protect your in ground trees? I have no plans to do anything but a little mulch.

I grow both side by side,in ground.
Protected with 2 comforter and a tarp each last Winter,both died within 6 inches from soil line.
I have to mention that ,this past Winter was extremly cold here ,like no other Winter.
Ronde is early and Nero600 is middle ripening.
Ronde does not produce good fruits when Summer is rainy and cool,as in 2011 2012 and 2013.
Nero 600 m managed to ripe better fruit in same bad climate.
So a lot depend on climate.
Ronde de B makes wonderfull fruits in most climates ,but mine must be one of the worst.

Thanks for all your comments - very helpful.  It's a bit of a toss up but I might go with the RdB in ground because it is more mature and more likely to survive if we have another cold winter.