Anyone here in NJ, and successfully growing figs

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Anyone here in NJ, and successfully growing figs

chandra0102
1500152407

I am in NJ - zone 6b, and interested in growing figs in containers. I just joined this forum, and am wondering if there are any members here from NJ who have been growing fig successfully and can share their experiences. Thanks.

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Jsavkov
1500166113

What's up! I'm in the Toms River area! And I've been growing for a few years, and yes I've been very successful, and I'm working with some finicky cultivars!

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Nic40
1500170164

I'm in PA but its all about cold hardy genetics. I'm building a collection of nothing but cold hardy figs. I recommend you doing the same. That way if you have an early chill you don't have to worry

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LSilva
1500170570

Also NJ here. In Edison, I'm growing figs in containers, got 6 trees in yard ranging from 3 year old to babies, and 4 or 5 more types trying to root.

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ADelmanto
1500173316 · Edited

I'm growing about 325 varieties. 200+ in containers. Mostly 15 gal pots.

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LSilva
1500175876

325 varieties. I know where I'm going for figs lol
Are you growing for you or you sell trees?
Must have a big garage to winter them

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TorontoJoe
1500178211 · Edited

@LSilva - I think you'll find that Aaron has some figs that you won't need a garage to overwinter in your area once established...Assuming you plant them in the ground...

I would imagine in NJ you shouldn't have a hard time finding others who grow figs... Problem is that they're usually in the back yard so you have to peek over fences to know... ;->

Good luck!

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dfoster25
1500183151

There are several people here to talk to. Enjoy. And Welcome!

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DomGardens
1500194403

Atlantic County here!

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ADelmanto
1500211068 · Edited

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Originally Posted by LSilva
325 varieties. I know where I'm going for figs lol
Are you growing for you or you sell trees?
Must have a big garage to winter them

I think this is my 5th year growing figs. I'm a landscaper so I get to go into a lot of back yards. I also have no problem knocking on doors to ask for cuttings. My success / failure comes from a LOT of research and trial and error. I'm pretty good at figuring out what will not work. Then I do the other thing. The varieties I am now growing are the survivors, if you know what I mean. I've got about 75 varieties in the ground spaced 8' apart around a 1/3 acre vegetable garden. The rest are in pots. I built a 10' x 12' Harbor Freight Greenhouse, reinforced it, and lined the inside with rigid foam insulation. It acts like a giant Igloo Cooler in the winter. The pots can and do freeze but does not dip down low enough to kill the trees. I stack the pots 4-5 pots high in there. Last fall I put an addition on the side to accommodate the overflow.

This year is really the first year I feel like I'm dialing it in. I'm happy with the growth of the trees and the amount of figs I'm seeing. Last year I was late setting up my irrigation and lost about 30 varieties. The rest all purged their breba and were late setting new fruit. This year I started on time, spaced the trees out nicely, fertilized on time, set up a drip system, and pinched the tips. I had my first ripe Fig of the year yesterday, Violet de Bordeaux. I'm one of 8 kids. I have a big family. I'm not sure if you are familiar with the term "Horde of Locusts". I'm lucky if I'll get to eat a fig off of each variety.

I enjoy collecting the different varieties. I love the history of the unknowns & cold hardyness is definitely a plus. However, I do not have unlimited space. I need to keep the size of the trees in check. I'm now setting air layers to sell a bunch of varieties late Summer / early Fall. I sell cuttings in the fall as well. Right now I have unknowns that were started from cuttings for sale.

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LSilva
1500219060

Cool I was looking a the HF greenhouses just wasn't sure if they're any good. Had bad experience with other things from them.
Just checked out your FB page looks like you do good work, 👍

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chandra0102
1500222107

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Originally Posted by ADelmanto
I'm growing about 325 varieties. 200+ in containers. Mostly 15 gal pots.

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chandra0102
1500223443

325 varieties, wow. That's incredible, and shows your love for the fruit. I have just started this year and have five small plants growing in containers. As a beginner, I need to learn a lot, and have several questions if you don't mind answering. Do you have figs in the ground also or only in pots. Do you move the pots indoors for the winter? The ones in 15-gal pots would be practically impossible to move; how do you protect them during winter? How do the ones in the ground, if any, survive cold NJ winters? The ones in pots, how big the pot have to be to sustain a fruiting fig tree? Would a fig growing in a 5-gal pot get big enough to produce fruit? Would the potted figs survive NJ winters in an unheated greenhouse? Do figs drop all their leaves in winter, and will they survive if I move the pots to a dimly lit indoor space, a walk-in basement, where it gets to around 50-55 degrees in winter? I am determined to give it a try, and would greatly appreciate any and all information for my education in fig culture. Thank you very much.

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chandra0102
1500223519

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Originally Posted by Nic40
I'm in PA but its all about cold hardy genetics. I'm building a collection of nothing but cold hardy figs. I recommend you doing the same. That way if you have an early chill you don't have to worry

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chandra0102
1500223940

Thank you for your response. I have a few small fig plants growing in containers, but I am not sure the ones I chose are really cold hardy for NJ climate. I have a couple of Black Mission, one of Columbian, one Chicago Hardy varieties. Could you name a few of the cold-hardy that you have experience with, and where I can find them Have you rooted any from cuttings, the best way, I am told, to start new plants. What the the best source for getting real cold hardy figs? Thanks for any information.

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ADelmanto
1500234216 · Edited

Do you have figs in the ground also or only in pots. (Both)
Do you move the pots indoors for the winter? (Unheated greenhouse, shed)
The ones in 15-gal pots would be practically impossible to move (Not too bad. 30-40lbs)
How do the ones in the ground, if any, survive cold NJ winters? (I wrap with carpet underlayment and large garbage bags)
The ones in pots, how big the pot have to be to sustain a fruiting fig tree? Would a fig growing in a 5-gal pot get big enough to produce fruit? (5 gal may produce fruit. But the tree will outgrow the pot. I'd think no less then 10 gal)
Would the potted figs survive NJ winters in an unheated greenhouse? (Yes)
Do figs drop all their leaves in winter, (Yes) and will they survive if I move the pots to a dimly lit indoor space, a walk-in basement, where it gets to around 50-55 degrees in winter? (Would not recommend it. Figs need a certain # of chill hours to produce figs)
I am determined to give it a try, and would greatly appreciate any and all information for my education in fig culture. Thank you very much.

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Originally Posted by chandra0102
Thank you for your response. I have a few small fig plants growing in containers, but I am not sure the ones I chose are really cold hardy for NJ climate. I have a couple of Black Mission, (Not Sure)
one of Columbian (Not Sure) one Chicago Hardy (Yes Cold Hardy)
Could you name a few of the cold-hardy that you have experience with, and where I can find them (The best Cold Hardy Varieties for your area will be grown locally to you. I have about 50+ local Cold Hardy Varieties. I sell both small trees and Cuttings). Have you rooted any from cuttings, (Successfully rooted about 600 this past winter) the best way, I am told, to start new plants. What the the best source for getting real cold hardy figs? Thanks for any information.

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