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Subject: Black Marseilles Replies: 13
Posted By: brettjm Views: 317
 
I loved mine this past year.  Mine is a slow grower compared to my other in ground varieties (RDB and Excel, both of which are weeds).  It spent quite a bit of energy putting out 10-12 figs on a young plant though.  Mine is a slow rooter.  Took 30-40 days when I rooted it a couple years ago, and my cuttings this winter from the same plant aren't showing any signs (while RDB, Excel, Adriatic JH all rooted several days ago). 

The fig itself is excellent.  Mine had a really interesting acid note that none of my others had, and it worked in the best possible way with the other flavors of the fig, making it really intense overall. Important note for northerners: as of today, I've got zero die back on my plant and we've hit 23 degrees already (16 last night...we'll see how it does).  The plant itself is quite young, maybe 1/2" diameter, so it is quite vulnerable.  Still, no signs of die back yet. 

Subject: Peter's Honey cuttings Replies: 4
Posted By: brettjm Views: 175
 
Lol.  PH is the bane of my existence.  I've tried 3x to grow it, and killed em' every time.  Excel shall suffice instead :-P

Subject: 1ft tall plant fruiting - normal ? Replies: 13
Posted By: brettjm Views: 268
 
I've actually had cuttings start making figs, believe it or not.  CUTTINGS!  Before leaves, before buds, before roots, they try to make a breba crop.  Stupid sticks!  It's not uncommon at all, but I usually pop them off, as quality on small plants is usually sub-par.

Subject: Suggestions for my final two Replies: 32
Posted By: brettjm Views: 520
 
Just for contrast, I might get myself something sweet and sugary.  I've got an Excel in ground (we'll see how it survives the winter) that made me half a dozen figs this year.  They were excellent.  Some splitting with all the rain, but nothing severe enough to keep me from enjoying them.  Even when they were 1-2 days away from really being ready, they were really good.  It's been a phenomenal grower too.  LSU gold or Peter's Honey might make good alternatives, but I've tasted neither.  Another member with a lot of experience says Excel is simply fantastic in the south.

After that, I've really enjoyed my Marseilles Black.  I know its hardy in ground in zone 7 (well, it better be, based on all the reports of it of folks growing it in the NE...guess I'll find out this winter).  It's nice and tangy, has a touch of an acidic bite, and was very rich.  I haven't tasted enough varieties to know for sure, but I would say it embodied the "rich berry" flavor profile pretty dang well.  I thought it was a nice contrast to the Ronde de Bordeaux I've got in ground, too.  Arguably the most flavorful of those I've tasted, honestly. 

Anyways, as a third choice I might recommend Adriatic JH.  I aaalllmmoooooossst put mine in ground, then decided I was too paranoid it would die in the winter.  Mine was pretty good in a pot.  It was my biggest fig in my collection, without question.  Sadly, I never got a truly ripe one.  One was bruised, and the rest all ripened during two massive downpours (4-5" each).  Naturally, they starting splitting, so I ate them.  Decently good, but I'm guessing they will be much better if I let them ripen 1 or 2 more days.  I've got 2 left on my plant I'm excited to try.  Notably, it was my latest ripening variety, just so you know.

Finally, I might consider brooklyn white.  I was a damn fool, and grew 3 plants of it.  Gave 2 away.  Mine 3rd one died :(  I plan to re-acquire it this winter, if I can find cuttings.  Supposed to be excellent, dependable, cold hardy, and makes decent brebas.  Pretty much an all around winner.  It's a good grower (you know, before I gave them away) as well.

Hope this at least gives you something to mull over.

Subject: 30ft + tall heirloom Celeste Replies: 17
Posted By: brettjm Views: 462
 
That's a beautiful tree, especially that far north.  We've got a few of those around town.  Maybe half a dozen I can think of.  They're all gorgeous, and every one of them survived the big kills of 2012/2013 (I think those were the years).  A couple specimens are truly spectacular. 

Subject: Cold hardy zone 6 in ground suggestions (specifically honey type) Replies: 7
Posted By: brettjm Views: 164
 
I think LSU gold is supposed to be fairly cold hardy, though a bit lackluster in cooler weather.  That's the best I got.

Subject: Productive MBVS Replies: 20
Posted By: brettjm Views: 631
 
Mine's got a touch of FMV, but it's not slowed down at all.  2nd year plant after a rough first year, I put it in ground this spring, and its around 3' tall with 3 main branches.  I've probably got a dozen figs on it as well.  We shall see about taste...

Subject: NERO 600M RIPE FRUIT PIC Replies: 23
Posted By: brettjm Views: 572
 
Breba crop or main?  My nero600m put on exactly one breba.  I'm hoping for it to ripen late this month or early next month.  My main crop figs are still pea-sized!

Subject: Share 1 tip you've learned that you wish someone had told you in the beginning Replies: 43
Posted By: brettjm Views: 1,080
 
Potting soil matters.  A lot.  My first figs got potted up to a mixture of manure, perlite, soil conditioner, and peat moss after rooting.  Many drowned because my ratios were all off, plus soil conditioner+manure+peat made a really sloppy mess when it rained a lot.  Didn't drain worth crap. I now use a TON of sifted perlite (30-40%), as well as manure, pine bark mulch/fines, and a healthy amount of promix (30-40% maybe).  This mix might not be what the pros recommend on this site, but its done excellent for me.  No drowning, no lost leaves due to overwatering, and a TON of growth.

Also, in ground trumps pots, and its not close.  My 3 in ground ones are all weeds.  My RDB has grown 2 feet this year already (after only 3 feet last year), plus another 2 feet of side branches.

Subject: Guerllia Planting - Need Cold Hardy Varities Replies: 4
Posted By: brettjm Views: 158
 
Interesting idea.  I've thought about this.  I've got a couple spare Almas and Excels, and I'm thinking one should end up in the corner of some park...

Subject: GM-142 - the next Smith fig! Replies: 34
Posted By: brettjm Views: 1,706
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by snaglpus
Hey Jodi! Here are a few of my favorites: Smith. You should see this bad boy! Texas BA-1 Noire de Caromb Texas Blue Giant Desert King Improved Celeste Texas Everbearing Votata Mike's Main Street. Purple Nero 600m Tilsbury Brown Turkey Improved Brown Turkey Murcuria Tacoma Voilet Black Jack Lyndhurst White Excel Atreano Black Ischia Black Maderia Black Italian Brown Turkey Not Beers Black LSU Purple Sal's Sal's Corelone Zemblass Black Adriatic JH Marseilles Black Marseilles White Italian Honey These are great producers in my climate. There are others....I just can't think at the moment.


You have no idea how much I love these posts from you.  Being in middle-north GA, I expect similar growing conditions and zone, which is greatly helpful to me.

Thanks!

Subject: Favorite breba??? Replies: 10
Posted By: brettjm Views: 258
 
I've currently got Alma, Nero600, and LSU purple sporting brebas.  The LSU purple drops them every year though.  The others...we'll find out.  Couldn't comment on taste...they're all 2nd year plants.  I've been debating if it would be smarter for me to pull them off and go for main crop instead.

Subject: Freezing fungus gnats? Replies: 7
Posted By: brettjm Views: 130
 
I've wondered this many times.  I must know!  Someone knowledgeable reply!

Subject: RIP Mother Preto Replies: 23
Posted By: brettjm Views: 731
 
Just as a "for fun," has anyone tried this in ground anywhere?  It's kind of precious to just leave in ground during the winter....but surely someone has done it.  

Just wondering what kind of cold hardiness, if any, Preto has.

Also, thank you for saving the variety.  I'm excited to try to grow this one.

Subject: A Big Thank You to the Community Replies: 16
Posted By: brettjm Views: 627
 
Congrats ross,

That's a heck of a list you've accrued.  Hope you've got space for all of them!  You really did make the best of a few good purchases and trading out the rest...I'm willing to bet you've become a beast at rooting cuttings.

Good luck with it!

Subject: Fig Addicts come forth Replies: 43
Posted By: brettjm Views: 769
 
Oye.  I'm not so bad I guess.  I keep saying no more, and circumstances keep dictating that more come my way :-D.  I started 3 years ago, and then last year I went from 2 to about 20.  More cuttings coming sooner or later too, thanks to the kindness of the good folks on this forum.  Looking forward to putting some in ground, and ideally cutting down the forest to 10-15 varieties within a few years.  I'm guessing I'll peak at about 25-30 varieties.  I guess I'm just content owning a few of each flavor profile, plus a few of the exceptional specimens (e.g. Smith, Preto, CDD).  Someday when I own some land (that's the plan at least), maybe I'll go above that, but not any time in the near future.

Subject: Fig Recommendation Please Replies: 15
Posted By: brettjm Views: 424
 
Hmm.  Not sure any of those will satisfy the void left by the VDB, as most of them are honey/sugar type figs.  Not to say that any of them are bad though!  Lattarula, Peter's honey, and Kadota are supposed to be quite similar in many regards, but Peter's Honey is definitely a favorite for many (browse enough "favorite fig" threads, and you'll see it listed a lot).  Ischia could also be good...I'm guessing its the tissue culture "ischia green," which pops up a lot whenever someone starts a thread for "underappreciated" or "underrated" figs.  Not sure how the tissue culture one compares to the normal ischia green.  Probably the same, but it might not be.

Personally, if it were me, I would either go after the Peter's Honey, or say screw it and go for the VDB.  It truly might be worth it to keep that VDB, and try to give it some afternoon shade.  Better still, plant it nice and deep to get good roots and when it gets bigger, keep it pruned back a bit to help the roots keep up with the leaves.  Mine certainly wilted in the GA heat last summer, but that's pretty common for this variety I think.  Seems to always bounce back.

Subject: rust on new cuttings Replies: 16
Posted By: brettjm Views: 314
 
I wish I could say that keeping humidity low works...I've had problems despite.  My two rusty figlets were moved to inside this winter where humidity has been low, but they still progressed with rust.  That's not to say it didn't slow the spread, or that the leaves weren't already infected and it just got worse...but lowering humidity alone doesn't seem to stop it :-/

Subject: rust on new cuttings Replies: 16
Posted By: brettjm Views: 314
 
Ugh.  I have this problem right now.  A Smith and a Champagne, both with rust.  I popped off all the leaves on the Champagne first...seemed much more susceptible.  Popped the last one off the Smith this morning.  Real bummer.  The champagne has leafed out again though...no signs of rust yet, but it can take time to develop.  I'll be keeping an eye on this thread....my first real dealing with rust is not a fun one.

Good luck!

Subject: Any cuttings for a newbie? Replies: 11
Posted By: brettjm Views: 376
 
Welcome.  You may take some flack for asking for handouts with your first post ;) , but offering shipping is a smart way to do it!  It never hurts to ask, and I'm willing to bet someone will hook you up.  If not, lots of folks sell cuttings for cheap, and many sellers have a knack for including some extra varieties, especially if they know you're new.  Lots of good folks on the forums.

In the meantime, do we have a name to go by?  I'm Brett, and I've been at it for a few years now myself.  You're spot on about it being addictive, but you're lucky...out in AZ, you can grow most things in ground.  Good luck!

Subject: Annual Wish-List of 6 most desirable cuttings for 2015-16 Replies: 90
Posted By: brettjm Views: 3,909
 
Figo Preto.  Nice n' simple. 

Subject: Starting cuttings Replies: 11
Posted By: brettjm Views: 252
 
Would be careful with honey.  One of the reasons its antimicrobial is because its crazy high in sugar, and low in liquid.  Its nothing personal against microbes...those conditions will kill/preserve just about anything.  Hope it doesn't kill roots as they try to grow.  Not saying don't try it...just try it on ones you have extras on :)

Subject: OT - Nursery Pots... Replies: 15
Posted By: brettjm Views: 447
 
Nice.  Hopefully the prime deal lasts more than a day?  I know what I want for christmas...

Subject: X-Mass wish list 2015 Replies: 9
Posted By: brettjm Views: 426
 
Hmm, I probably won't trade my recently purchased cuttings (I'm not one to count my chickens before they hatch), and I don't have much to offer of my own (only LSU purple), but should I have multiples of some varieties if they survive to spring. I'm rooting several Takoma Violet, Peter's Honey, and Atreano cuttings.  I'll happily send plants for postage should they survive that long.  Potentially a Stella and White Triana as well.  Looking for Figo Preto (heh...fat chance, I know).

Of course, I don't expect anyone to send/trade me anything on a "if they survive until spring" promise :-P

Subject: Hello Replies: 32
Posted By: brettjm Views: 295
 
First and foremost, welcome.  Washington State, huh?  Close to the coast, with more mild temps?  Or further inland, with hotter summers and colder winters?

Tell us about your apples/figs!  Been interested in growing some apples someday, but don't know enough about them to start.

Subject: OT - Fall in the Carolinas! Replies: 16
Posted By: brettjm Views: 202
 
I spent a little time up in Blue Ridge GA a couple weekends ago.  The leaves were just starting to change on tulip/poplar and the maples.  Shame we couldn't have had our camping trip a couple weeks later.  Alas, it was beautiful anyways.  I love that whole area of north GA and south TN/NC.  Absolutely beautiful country.

Subject: best top five or six tasting figs. Replies: 12
Posted By: brettjm Views: 540
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rafaelissimmo
Preto-Black Madeira, Smith, Adriatic JH, Col de Dame (any), Genovese Nero, Marseilles Black


It makes me oh so happy to have half that list.  Hopefully I can get the other half sometime this fall.  Can't wait to get figs next year.

Subject: need help Replies: 3
Posted By: brettjm Views: 75
 
Personally, (and I do mean personally, since everyone has their own preferred way to root), I would get them out of water, and put them in some damp sphagnum moss, or better yet, moist coco-coir (you can get it at the pet store).  Generally goopy stuff in water is going to be either a) bacteria, or b) algae.  Neither will necessarily hurt your cutting, but it is possible.  There's all kinds of good threads on rooting, just check out the search function.

Subject: Most aromatic Fig var. Replies: 14
Posted By: brettjm Views: 331
 
When I had atreano cuttings (before I killed them), they had a super fragrant smell.  Like some combo of vanilla and coconut with a strong nuttiness to them.  It smelled so good, I actually took the dead, dried out sticks (after they died), broke them open, and left them on my desk at home.

They need to make that stuff a scented candle.


Edit:  In retrospect, talking about opening the dead corpse of my victims on my desk for the pleasant aroma is pretty brutal.

Subject: rooting cuttings question Replies: 14
Posted By: brettjm Views: 185
 
Personally?  I'd wait for more to show, although sometimes that takes time.  To cup it, i like to pour media in, get the root level with the bottom of the media, then pour more on top.  I've broken quite a few myself, unfortunately.

Good luck!

Subject: Panache clippings Replies: 5
Posted By: brettjm Views: 225
 
Oh yeah.  As summer wore on I started fertigating regularly.  No dice.  If it survives the winter, I'll try again next year....Maybe I'll get 2 inches next year :-P

Subject: Panache clippings Replies: 5
Posted By: brettjm Views: 225
 
Gah!  I completely dropped the ball on this one.  I promised you one of these awhile back, if I recall.  It's currently in my back yard with its 2 remaining, rust-infested leaves.  It grew a whopping 1.5" the entire summer.  It was never overwatered/overheated like so many of my others...it just refused to grow.  You're welcome to it if you want it, but I doubt it will survive the winter. 


Subject: Fig Cuttings Replies: 66
Posted By: brettjm Views: 2,717
 
I got in on this last year as well (and may get in on the 2nd batch...my collection is still small!).  Good cuttings, great price.  Those less common varieties he's referring to could very well be gems.  Trust me on that!

Subject: Favorite Threads on F4F? Replies: 3
Posted By: brettjm Views: 184
 
Varietal info by location:  http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Best-figs-at-your-location-4800578

That's the one that started it all for me.  I had 1 fig at that point, and I just started going through all the different figs that people had.  5 pages of gold right there, and very informative. 

Subject: Unknown Cuttings Package Replies: 45
Posted By: brettjm Views: 1,368
 
Someday.  Someday when I own 10+ acres of land, I'll have a dang orchard of all these unknowns (and knowns, for that matter).  Today is not that day.  Alas.

Thanks for the offer though!  Great newbie starter package, and a good chance to score some cold hardy varieties for those of you trying to find some good in ground candidates up north.

@Terryworm,
It is probably safe to assume these figs are not caprifigs, and thus do not need any kind of pollination.  Go for it man!

Subject: Fig cuttings wanted Replies: 14
Posted By: brettjm Views: 617
 
Garden,

Give it a few weeks.  Usually cuttings become more and more available during October/November, both from here and ebay, and folks will make posts about it.  I can recall at least 4 or 5 different folks selling cuttings for dirt cheap last year.  If this year is like last year, there will also be a mass auction for fig cuttings hosts by encanto farms, though its through ebay, which kind of stinks, but I understand why it has be like that. In the mean time, tell us a bit about yourself, and why you're interested in figs.  Figs, as it turns out, is a bit of a community.  Welcome.

Once a few folks start recognizing your name on the forum, you can also make specific posts (e.g. looking for Alma, or looking for Ischia green), just don't ask for too many or people may get the wrong idea ;).  Oftentimes you can get cuttings for the cost of shipping, as folks have to prune their trees anyways.

Subject: Guess The Success Rate Replies: 21
Posted By: brettjm Views: 342
 
Another vote for coco coir.  I went 50% in straight water, 75% in sphagnum peat moss, and nearly 100% in coco coir.  Just don't get it too wet.  If you squeeze it and it drips, its too wet...wring it out and then fluff it up.  The fluffier the better.  Its about humidity, not wetness (if that makes sense).  I would do it in a tupperware box that seals...air it out once a day.  Don't screw with your cuttings if you can help it...just check them once a week or so.  (I fail at this...I check them every day or two.  Try not to do that.)

I also vote that you should cut them in half.  2x the trees, plus you can use the extras for trade once you get them established!  The gift that keeps on giving!  Also remember...rooting is the easy part.  Keeping them alive through the figlet stage is the hard part, in my experience.

You can get coco coir at your local pet store in the reptile/exotic pet section.  It comes in bricks that have to be rehydrated.  It will take approximately forever to soak up water break it up with your hands to the point where its fluffy.  If your fingers aren't sore at the end of it, you didn't try hard enough :)

Subject: Annual Wish-List of 6 most desirable cuttings for 2015-16 Replies: 90
Posted By: brettjm Views: 3,909
 
For those who are interested....

Just fruits and exotics just opened up from summer.  Already sold out black madeira (or never had any more) and a couple others, but they've got some popular varieties such as Smith, VDB, improved celeste, champagne, and hollier, to name a few.  I've never done business with them, but my understanding is that they're quite a good retailer.  I got REALLY excited about hollier before I killed mine as a cutting, so I might jump on that one myself.  They seem to have a knack for catering to the hobbiest, or so it would seem.

Subject: Annual Wish-List of 6 most desirable cuttings for 2015-16 Replies: 90
Posted By: brettjm Views: 3,909
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisK
Ok here it is. stella or Vasilika sika (long fingers ), promised, many thanks. Vasilika sika (the other one) Dr Gowaty fig Salem White Kashi yellow giant (from China) Saratoga (yellow small, red eye) Bonus fig? Italian 258. ,at least we know who likes white figs;)!


Did I not send enough white figs your way?  Hah!  The figs you sent me way are all doing fantastic, by the way.  I've had to pick off tiny fruits from the LSU gold and black mission to keep them focused on new growth.

As for myself, it would probably have to be the following, in order.

T-1 Preto
T-1 Smith (Accounted for.  I love this forum!)
3    Stella
4    I258
5    O'Rourke (Accounted for.  thanks!)

Alas! I won't have cuttings to trade for at least another year, though I've got a few spare plants.

Subject: Nero 600M vs Violette dee Bordeaux Comparison Replies: 27
Posted By: brettjm Views: 1,130
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by brianm
UC Davis VDB


Yup.  That looks like my cutting, spot on.

Subject: Nero 600M vs Violette dee Bordeaux Comparison Replies: 27
Posted By: brettjm Views: 1,130
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eboone


1)  Does VDB make suckers with spade shaped leaves like Nero600m does?

I can only answer this one - my 3 yr old VdB does have spade like leaves on the suckers.  I think that a couple of the first leaves on the main trunk this spring were as well.


That's one more layer to add to the theory that they're the same.  Now for cold hardiness....

Subject: Nero 600M vs Violette dee Bordeaux Comparison Replies: 27
Posted By: brettjm Views: 1,130
 
Curious.  Nice post, and useful comparison for those with limited tasting experience (like myself).  I've got both as first years, and I will say that they look nothing alike as first year plants...but early development is so variable that its not a useful comparison.

A couple followups, however

1)  Does VDB make suckers with spade shaped leaves like Nero600m does?
2)  Do they have the same cold hardiness?  (hopefully someone else can chime in)
3)  Do they have the same vigor/growth?  This can obviously vary cutting to cutting as well.

I recall at least one post where someone called into question the cold hardiness of Nero600m, saying it was not cold hardy for him.  May have been a fluke though.  Otherwise, seeing as how I'm limited on space, I might have another plant to gift.

Subject: Fig recommendation for clay soil Replies: 12
Posted By: brettjm Views: 375
 
Fig tree or two?  Hah.  Set you limit at 10, and go from there.  I'm pretty sure figs are the pokemon/beanie babies of the fruit tree world.

As for clay...yeah I'm in middle/north Georgia.  I had never encountered anything like this.  This clay is truly spectacular, yet around town are dozens of large trees that do great.  Celeste is probably the most common, but there are a few others around as well.  Honestly, if your in SD, you likely won't have to worry about the "wet feet" issue for fig trees, as you don't get a ton of rain, right?  Clay, although it has its issues with drainage/density, is very nutrient rich.  Most hardy plants not only tolerate it, but thrive in it, provided they drain okay.

Subject: 5 LSU Purple Cuts... Not even sure if one survives Replies: 5
Posted By: brettjm Views: 265
 
I might agree about the pots.  I have mine in a MASSIVE pot, and its given me plenty of figs, but they've been rather ho-hum.  Of course, this year I may get none, as I tried my best to kill it...but you know.  Word is with this plant that it has to reach a certain age/size to produce truly delicious figs.  You can always buy an above ground swimming pool, put it on wheels, and fill it with dirt though! :-P

Subject: As a followup to a post about numbered figs... Replies: 1
Posted By: brettjm Views: 184
 
What are each of your experiences with some of the numbered varieties?  Pitch them to me as a salesman...color, taste, closely resembles "fig x," productivity, brebas, etc.  Since a numbered name isn't sexy, tell me what numbered figs you have, and what makes them sexy.  Let's see if I can start a numbered fig rush.  Not that it helps me, my poor little 143-36 is still a baby.  That thing fills a pot with roots like a stud though.

Subject: going to bills figs, any recommendations on what to get? Replies: 21
Posted By: brettjm Views: 560
 
I'll be *that guy.*  Consider forgoing the panachee, unless you've got a green house or a sun room that the fig can get an early start in every year.  Its a late ripening variety that might be tough to get max flavor out of in a short growing season.  Also, humidity/rain might be a bit of a problem as well, although a few members in the south do grow it successfully.

I use a lot of "mights" in there, as although I have cuttings, I've not actually ripened one myself, so don't let my word dictate your decision. 

Perhaps see if he's got a Marseilles Black VS?  Supposed to be very hardy, and very good.  You could probably plant it in ground in Philly after a couple years growth in a pot.

Alternatively, make a list of every fig recommendation on here, and go buy them all, including the panachee.  That's probably your best option, really :)

Subject: Anna's Bronx White: Good brebas 2 years in a Row Replies: 4
Posted By: brettjm Views: 294
 
I have to agree with greenfig.  I know that the dehydrator probably made it worse....but that is one ugly fig.  It better be extra delicious to make up for that bad case of ugly.

Subject: Cutting rooting issue Replies: 6
Posted By: brettjm Views: 314
 
Likely still viable, but as time goes on the likelihood of success does probably go down. I agree that excess moisture can be problematic for rooting.  Its like they root little nubbins that immediately rot off due to excess moisture.

I had horrid luck with 100% perlite, myself.  My end game ended up being coco-coir in a tupperware container that was damp to the touch, but no water can be rung out, and make it nice and fluffy.  I laid them flat and buried them.  27/28 UCDavis cuttings rooted for me, and about half a dozen others from generous members all rooted for me...and yes, some of them did throw out leaves first.  Now....I found other ways to kill them after rooting them, but this worked great for getting them started.

Subject: Road Trip! Replies: 5
Posted By: brettjm Views: 347
 

I do not envy the Cleavland to Indianapolis leg.  Brutally boring country northern Ohio and Indiana...  The whole great plains can be rough, but man oh man there is a special, dark place in my heart for terrain that flat.  I'm from northern Indiana, and unfortunately there's not a ton to do without going to Chicago (Navy Pier, Museum of Science and Industry) or down to southern Indiana (Wyandotte Cave is pretty nifty...French Lick is kind of a cool little town to stop and check out).  But yeah...if you're going Cleaveland to Indy to Clinton....not a lot in between there.

Don't get me wrong, Indy is a fantastic city...but it needs some more tourist attractions.

Subject: New to the Forum Replies: 8
Posted By: brettjm Views: 297
 
You can totally grow some main crops.  None of the late ripening ones (e.g. col de dame, black madeira, panache), but there should be some that ripen early enough for you to have main crops.  Especially if you keep them in pots, and move them to a shed/garage when they go dormant...they'll usually restart a few weeks or so early and give you a head start on the season!  My 2 big potted plants leafed out and started growing 5-6 weeks before any of the local in ground trees started leafing out.  As a result, I'll probably get ripe main crop figs late this month or early next month!