Hello,

I'm new to the wonderful world of figs, I have 2 Chicago Hardy Fig Tree probably 2 or 3 years old, got it from Starks Brothers. Planted it last year. Have over 25 Figs the size of big cherries  for quite some time now.

I Read that they should be ripening about now. There are still green and don't look at all like there going to ripen. I know these figs are supposed to get about the size of golf ball and look black.   

Thanks for any advice,
Stephen

Patience. Not sure where you are located but in zone 6 and lower they will start to ripen in the next 3-6 weeks.

Jeff,
Sorry located in New Jersey zone 6A, same as you probably neighbors. Its just that I get excited I love watching my garden grow,
and I also got a few cuttings growing in 10 gallon pots.

Thanks for advice
Stephen

The trees are still very young! Plus, it's only early August.
Removing some of the leaves and light pinching should speed things up a bit.

I had around 30 figs per tree, I thinned the tree down to like 15 and they started to ripen, eating brown turkey, excel, and soon texas blue giant.  first year fig trees from home depot and north forty in 10 gal pots.  will be great in 20 gal pots next spring,, cant wait.  I'm in zone 6 around 30 min from zone 5.  I think they wont start the swell and ripen process if over loaded, but maybe I'm just impatient.

In zone 5. Same problem. Not sure if they will have time to ripen.

CH does well in South Jersey. Mine tend to ripen a bit late in the year.

Towards the end of this month might get a couple ripe HC but next month they come on strong. Then the excitement begins.. They swell then soften and your waiting for them to start to droop.. The waiting is the hardest part. :).
Zone 5 you will be fine. Probably mid to end of Sept for you and some will finish into Oct. If Oct looks to be mild then throw a sheet over them with any frost warnings to protect the figs.. Pull the sheet off as soon as the sun comes up the next morning and the temp rises a bit.. There's a reason it's called "HARDY" chicago. :).

Best of luck with your Starks Brothers trees. When I've ordered from them, around half the trees were mislabeled. Starks is great on replace the wrong trees with the right trees but always check the fruit and the leaves to make sure it’s the variety you ordered. 

http://figs4fun.com/Thumbnail_Hardy_Chicago.html

Thanks for all the advice,

I actually made an error I'm in zone 7A not 6A, was late slipped didn't read what I wrote.
Mara I don't really know the difference between figs, but from the reaserch I did these looks to be Chicago Hardy.
and they lasted through the nj winter last year which was not as bad as it normally is.

Thanks again
Stephen

Mara,
I just noticed the website you sent me, Yes it is definetly a Chicago hardy fig. thanks for the site.

FIg herder,
I'm going away at the end of the month hope I have a chance to try some of my figs before I leave. at least now I know ill have a chance to try some when I get back.

just counted my figs in one tree I have over 20, the other tree has over 10 figs.

thanks  
STephen

Hey all,
just got back from my vacation in Greece were by the way my wife everyday had figs yogurt and honey. On September 11, my figs finally started turning.
today I tried my first fig from the Chicago hardy today sept 17. My wife said these figs were better then ones in Greece, she just wished they were a bit bigger.
God made them so we are wanting more.  
Thank you,
Stephen NJ zone 7A