I was wondering if anyone is growing the southern brown turkey fig from Rolling River nursery in CA and if so how do you like it? I know brown turkey seems to be a catchall name for many figs and I wonder if this strain is the same as texas everbearing, does anyone know?

Welcome to the forum!

I avoid all figs with "Brown Turkey" in the name because I've got so many Brown Turkey variants in my area, almost all of are watery/sweet and I'd rank them at a 3/10 on their absolute best day, but typically a 1/10 or 2/10.  Contrast that with other popular figs like Negronne or VdB that are readily available and in the 8/10 or 9/10 taste category... seems fruitless to bother.

I can't speak to what Rolling River has, but I'm skeptical that they say "Brown Turkey is one of their favorites", it's the most asinine comment I've ever heard and I have yet to meet a serious fig junkie that thinks a regular old Brown Turkey tastes half worth a damn. 

I've tasted figs claiming to be "Southern Brown Turkey"... and were less than desirable on flavor.  I've also tasted "Improved Brown Turkey", the Brown Turkey that Monrovia puts out (I just hacked down my Monrovia tree a few weeks ago), "Eastern Brown Turkey", "English Brown Turkey" and several other trees that were clearly Brown Turkey Variants but had no name. I've got about 75 non-Brown Turkey variants in my collection to compare against on flavor.  After tasting and disliking so many Brown Turkeys (even when ppl said "this one is different!"), there's just no point any more.  If it tastes good and it's labeled as "Brown Turkey", then ... it's mislabeled!

People around here call me a Brown Turkey hater... it may be fair, but I've probably tasted about 100 different ones and I'm with Jon... they're mostly worthless. 

I'd skip it, personally.  You'd be better off picking Hardy Chicago, Celeste, or Alma from Rolling River's selection (possibly one or two others).

Hey! Tell me how you really feel about brown turkey - LOL! Seriously I appreciate your feedback and will go with another variety.

If you don't have one already, go with their Hardy Chicago (they label as "Chicago Hardy").  You absolutely will NOT be disappointed if it's true to label.  It's another 8/10 or 9/10 taste variety.  Celeste is a 6/10-7/10 for me in my climate, the different variants can be hit or miss.  I can't speak to Alma, but Frank (forum member FMD) raves about his all the time, so ... tossing it out there.

Yes, I already grow hardy chicago and love it very much. I agree with you 100% on this variety. Do you have any favorite yellow/green varieties based on cold hardiness and flavor?

Derek, Jason is pretty much correct about the Brown Turkey.  However, there are several different varieties floating around.  You're only an hour from me, I'm in Charlotte.  I have about 5 different Brown Turkey figs in my possession and about 400 fig trees in all.  About 12 of those are Brown Turkeys. 

The reason I have so many Brown Turkeys is because I want to see which strain is the best.  If you drive around Winston-Salem and peak through neighborhoods you will find a lot of fig trees.  If you ask the owner what kind of fig is it, 90% will say, "it's a fig".   Meaning they don't  know what variety it is.  Just about all those I found in my area are all Brown Turkey and Celeste.  Why?  Because back in the 60s and 70s, GrandMa's tree was a Brown Turkey or Celeste and those 2 were sent around to all the family member.  I was able to find one English Brown Turkey which are amazing if picked when ripe.  All those BTs I have came from different sources and I want to only keep the best ones.  Southern Brown Turkey figs are good, but there are so many others out there that are better!  Jason was correct about Hardy Chicago as well as Marseilles Black VS.  One of my BT are excellent and taste pretty close to Marseilles Black VS! 

I love Rolling River fig trees.  They have some of the largest I've seen in mail order.  I buy from them a lot.  They are a good source.  Alma another rich tasting fig for our area.  Here are a few others to research that grow well in our area:

Petite Negra
Violette de Bordeaux
Negronne
Sal's
Hardy Chicago
Smith
Improved Celeste
Mission
Marseilles Black VS

cheers,

I have just received a petite negri from edible landscaping so was glad to see it does well for you. Where does one get marseilles black and what does the VS stand for? I read somewhere on a messageboard recently that this is another name for hardy chicago? Have you heard this? I have also seen people say that sals is also the same. How do these 3 differ?

VS is the initial of the original source.  Marseilles Black is not the same as Hardy Chicago, and Petite Negri is different as well (that is closer to VdB/Negronne, but still different).  Sal is similar to HC or MB, but different still (some may have originated from a small area of Sicily, but I don't want to start a debate).  All four are great choices.

Marseilles Black ... you'll need to get it from a collector, since it's not typically found in retail sale (I've never seen it for sale anywhere).

I really want to see better pics of bigger Vista trees, because I'm quarter sure that it's the same as PN or closely related to each other in opposition to VdB, Negronne, Petite Aubique (which is, confusingly enough, also rather seperate).

Vista, as you can imagine, is also a great choice.  Said choices are great because they are reliable bearers on carefree trees, not just the delish fruit.  Anyways, put that PN where it gets shade part of the day and windbreak--sensitive to drought and gets burned by cold winds (especially during the spring).

I think almost all figs will do well, at least on occassion, therefore, I think I should remedy Dennis' suggestions by adding a large white fig, non-honey--Atreano, White Triana, Latarolla.  There aren't a whole lotta honey figs that generate huge enthusiasm, it seems.  Lastly, think about adding one late season great if you got a warm fall fig--Col de Dame, Barnisotte, Black Madeira/Preto, things like that.  The first two if you have a large yard, and the last if you have a small one.