Hi all,

I'm in northeastern Massachusetts, zone 6a, and am looking to see how a Chicago Hardy does in the ground around here. This may be a loaded question, but does anyone have thoughts on whether to a) purchase and plant in the ground now (late summer) with winter temperatures probably dropping below 10F, b) wait to purchase until spring and plant in ground then, or c) plant in a pot now and put in ground later (next spring or a subsequent time).

I'm also interested if anyone has suggestions for where to buy (either local to NE Mass or online).

Thanks!
Rob
----
Massachusetts, zone 6a

Planting in the spring would be best, IMO, as it gives the plants roots more time to settle in and establish themselves in the soil and also allowe the plant maximum time to recover from transplanting stress. There are also some varieties which may be better for inground planting in marginal zones than HC, Malta Black and Florea are two I would recommend. I have been trialing figs in zone 5a, with inground plants surviving the past two winters (mild ones at that, only -10F), and Hardy Chicago died back the most of all the ones in my trial of 12 or so different varieties. With you being a zone warmer, perhaps the more widely available HC would do fine...just thought I would shame my experience. I should have Malta Black cuttings this fall if you want to try making you own plants.

I'm new to fig culture, but I planted a fig in the ground about this time last year, and it's doing great. I'm not that far from you, and as you know, it was a very mild winter. I wrapped/insulated my fig and it came through with almost no damage.
Personally, I'd say go ahead and put it in the ground!
Rick
New London, CT

As Jesse said plant it in spring after frost is better.

But keep in mind planting in ground is wrought with dangers and small fig can be a goner in a blink.  
I would grow it in container until it gets an established trunk (2/3 years) and make sure I have a backup or know where I can get another one if required.

Another vote for spring, echoing Jessie's reasons.

I'd vote for spring too and agree that a mature tree would be a better risk.

FWIW, my Hardy Chicago appears to suffer more winter damage than my other 7 in-ground plants.  Marseilles Black, another "Mt Etna" type, seems tougher.  But there are may other choices, both inside and outside that group.   

Hi,
1. Are you sure to be able to find an HC to buy at Springtime ?
2. Will you have time at Springtime to buy her ?
3. Do you want to grow her in a pot for 2 years first ?
4. Do you have space in the garage to put the pot inside ?

If the answer to either 1 or 2 is no, than buy her now.
If the answer to both 1 and 2 is yes, the choice is yours. Perhaps wiser to buy her at Springtime.
If the answer to 3 and 4 is yes, then I would buy her now. ( Don't do tomorrow, what you can do today).
If you buy her now, it will buy you experience with figtrees too.

Sometimes this time of the year you can trees on sale. If you get them at half the price, you could buy two for the same amount of money ...

Spring because if planted in fall, root rot is a real possibility.

Spring. I have three, small fig plants that I put out about a month ago, and they are doing great. I had to put a mesh cage around them, because of the damn rabbits. Also mulched the heck out of them. They are first year cuttings started in my house over the winter.

Definitely in the spring. I'm actually looking to do the same thing as you. I bought 2 HC last fall and kept them in pots all year this year. The plan is to put one in the ground next spring and hope it takes off. I was under the impression that HC is one of the most cold hardy figs out there.


It's real interesting what zone5figger is saying about Malta Black and Florea, since geographically Malta is located so far south in the Mediterranean

In Warmer area, I will plant fig trees ASAP, In moist airy soils, roots are still growing above 41F/5C, I am at Zone8b, I did dig out my fig trees end of January 2 years ago, Its big fat white roots was still growing, However, If soils are too wet, it will rot.

In Colder area, Definitely plant them at spring, Plant them 1/2 feet deeper, it will increase its cold hardy at young age. Also pick a location with minimum winds, Wind chill cold top killed many of my young unprotected fig trees even I am in Zone 8B.

Chicago Hardy is slightly more cold hardy in my area and It is the latest tree to wake up at Spring, Also It is widely available.

However, I guess that Florea is better choice for colder area, because It wakes up later than many fig trees, Because of this, Its breba might be safe for spring freezing damaged, Plus Its main crop ripen before Chicago Hardy fig, Plus, It figs do not need very high heat for ripening as HC, It does rich/sweet taste even at cooler summer(Heat zone 2/3) area here,  Anyone growing it at colder area, Please response.

Correct me, If I am wrong, I am thinking to dig out all my Chicago hardy ( Mtna) trees next year and plant more Florea.

Sometime, we should ask a question?
Why 3 years old potted fig trees are more cold hardy then 1 year old fig trees? Thinker skin? more roots?

<< However, I guess that Florea is better choice for colder area, because It wakes up later than many fig trees, Because of this, Its breba might be safe for spring freezing damaged, Plus Its main crop ripen before Chicago Hardy fig, Plus, It figs do not need very high heat for ripening as HC, It does rich/sweet taste even at cooler summer(Heat zone 2/3) area here,  Anyone growing it at colder area, Please response.

Correct me, If I am wrong, I am thinking to dig out all my Chicago hardy ( Mtna) trees next year and plant more Florea. >>

I love Florea, but the taste is at best 8 out of 10.  I think that the Mt Etnas taste better, assuming both varieties are fully ripe.  And there is enough heat to ripen MEs here in Z6.  Sure, Florea ripens ~2 weeks earlier here and is maybe a bit more cold tolerant.  But even so I wouldn't rip out Mt Etnas to plant Florea.

If you have the space, you should have 1 Florea, 1 Improved Celeste, 1-2 Mount Etnas, and 2-3 Ronde de Bordeaux.  If there's more room after that, 1 Lattarula.  Then see if you can keep 1-2 JH Adriatic alive.

p.s.  Florea produces few brebas -- not enough to be a consideration.  For example, last year I got >220 figs off a small in-grounds tree and maybe 1 breba.  Ditto RdB.  You might get a couple off a mature ME.  Basic point is that for these varieties, brebas should be viewed as an unexpected minor bonus, not a goal. 

Thanks Joe for feedback on Florea in colder area.

First I would take a good look at what trees are considered cold hardy (a careful look).
I'd buy them now and put in 5 gallon pots.
Use a high quality soiless mix like farad #52 and feed them a dilute fertilizer (I use bunny poop, but worm castings are good as are lots of other types).
This way you can get some growth - then bring inside.
Come spring - put outside as you leave for work and bring inside when you get home. After any chance of frost go ahead and plant.

Make sure you use the adage to plant a $10 tree in a $100 hole.

This will give you the best of all worlds as you'll have a tree with more growth - no damage - and an extended growing season as putting them out in spring during the day will give you a couple weeks you would not get if you just left in garage or just planted "too early".
Good luck.
btw I have a lot of cold hardy varieties as I collect them. I will have cuttings in the fall and always have 1 gallon trees for sale.