>>you need cold hardy fig tree.
Agreed.
I'll add that the sun rise over the horizon 18 hours in june/july, 6 hours in late december. We have 763mm of precipitation, distributed among 166 rainy days (dryer winters than summers, september is wettest). The official statistics period is for 1961-1990. If one looks at 1991-present, temperatures seems to have risen by 1-2 degrees C. Global warming or statistical quirk, I guess.
The figs on offer here tends to be Brown Turkey. But then, our garden centers tends to sell whatever their Dutch suppliers have at hand, rather than what is suited for our climate (I see that a lot with Apricot and Grapes). To a lesser degree, I see Bornholm (AKA Precoce de Dalmatie? AKA Bornholm Diamond?) and Ficus Afghanistanica, Ficus 'Ice Crystal'. But talk about 'Hardy Chicago' makes it sound like a perfect hardy, good-tasting fig. Mysteriously, it seems to not be available here in Europe. Is it more of an "inland climate" fig? (surviving dry, cold winters, needing really hot/long summers)?
Locally, there are not that many fig-growers to consult that I know of. I don't know if that is because it is really hard, or because we simple do not have traditions for doing so (no large mediterranean groups of immigrants here). I know that some have been able to fruit Brown Turkey. I have read this article about growing figs in Sweden. It seems very relevant:
http://www.fruitiers-rares.info/articles57a62/article59-Fig-growing-in-Sweden-Ficus-carica.html
(In general) to combat the climate challenges over here, what would you recommend? I assume that putting lots of drainage around its feet (rather relying on active watering) in order to allow it to dry somewhat up periodically and during winter is a good thing. But does it dislike wet foliage? (should I plant it close to a wall such that it will not be hit by direct rain, should I encase it in white fiber cloth, or is a green house the only way?). Is it feasible to survive winter outside (first winter? second?) using winter fleece, covering the ground with mulch/isolation mats? Or should I keep it in a pot, move it (I have a cold garage, a 15 degree C cellar and an isolated cold-bench outside).
I do know that for grapes, it is recommended to chose a south-facing slope, to avoid planting at the bottom of the slope, to use black glassfibre cover of the soil (avoid weeds, get more heating from the sun, let through water/nutrients), plant against a brick wall/fence (preferred) or a white wooden house wall/fence. Many recommend putting large-ish rocks around the plants feet for heat retention. For many fruit bushes/trees, some kind of espalier/fan-training is recommended in order to maximize sunlight and avoiding damp foliage/branches.
I also have the option of planting at the cabin. There it is even more "coastal" (milder winters, more even summers, full sun, windy). Would have to combat grazing sheep, though :-)
Jan mean temp: -2.0 C
July mean temp: 16.5 C
Year average: 6.9 C
Growth season: 180-200 days (daily avg >5C)
Summer : 133 days (daily avg >10C)
regards
Knut
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