I have spots for 2 in-ground figs at present.  More to follow, but everything else is going into 5 gallon buckets.

I'm in Mercer County, NJ, so yes, we get lots of winter snow.  I'll do my best to get the in-ground ones protected, but I'm not building igloos as some others on the site have time and ability to create (not a dig at anyone, just a recognition of my limitations - both time and skill).

My semi-complete list of options (all in Double Big Gulp cups at present) includes:

VdB
RdB
Hardy Chicago
Marseilles Black VS
Rob's Genevese Nero
Gino's Black
Papa John
LSU Gold
LSU Purple
Desert King - obviously breba only
Brown Turkey 
Teramo (Unknown)
Verdonne
Lyndhurst White

Coming from the $7 offer I have

 


I also have a few others growing which I know nothing about.

I really like dark figs - the few light fights I've eaten I didn't care for (perhaps they weren't ripe or the variety was bad or the tree was too young ...).

My present thinking is

Marseilles Black VS
Hardy Chicago

A close third/nearly tied is VdB.

I've eaten both VdB and HC (before killing the plants over winter) and really liked both.  I've never had a MBVS, but I hear good things including that it is very cold hardy.

Everyone is welcome to have an opinion.  Opinions of those native to California will be accepted with a grain of salt and a bowl of envy.


Andrew

Andrew,
I am looking forward to some expert opinions on your question as I have many of the same varieties in pots and considering putting one ar two in ground. I do have a hardy chicago in ground and it does well here in southern NYS, Long Island. I cover as best I can but obviously need a better system as it has died back and does suffer winter damage. However it always roars back growing 6 feet in a season and rewards me with 100s of sweet dark figs. Looks like some of those big gulp figs ready to go into larger pots. Did you root all those nice varieties? good luck.

Given your location and the fact that these trees were discovered growing in that region..somewhat. I would suggest Lyndhurst White and Teramo get serious consideration. Herman has had good luck with the Gino's in NJ and stated it was more cold  hardy than Hardy Chicago. I personally wouldn't do both HC and MBVS, they are pretty similar and I personally would want some variety, I would chose MBVS between the two because at my location it is better tasting than HC (but HC is still a great fig, which to me is the standard to compare figs to for northern growers). RdB is a great candidate too, fast and strong grower and it ripens super early ( I have one I will be trialing in ground this year as a step-over). If you want a VdB type, then go with the Nero 600M it's supposed to be a little more cold hardy, it's another one that Herman is a fan of and I believe he grows it in ground without extensive protection.

Andrew,
I do agree with the MSvs and Chicago Hardy. I live in NJ 7a and have had different figs in ground for over 15 years. However, I don't think you should put these first year plants in ground yet. I would grow them in pots for a few years before I put them in ground unless you are gung ho with winter protection. It's a lot to ask for these young 'ems as it gets mighty cold out here.

Yes, I rooted them all - and some others still in the cloner.

How big is your HC?

I would go with the MvsB and either RdB or Lyndhurst White.  I agree with Calvin's rationale of getting variety in your in-ground figs and HC and MvsB are both Mt. Etnas and very similar.

Andrew
my hardy chicago is about 4 or 5 years old and I put in ground in 2nd year. I keep it pruned to about six feet.