njfigger
1434577552
Posted 1435195027
Reply with quote #1
Just as the title says, headed down to Flemington, NJ this morning for my first (and definitely not my last) visit to Bills Fig Farm. First, let me tell you about Bill himself. He's an absolute gentleman, and a class act. Being new to the fig world, I had A LOT of questions, all of which he answered for me in great depth, and he was happy to do so. Bill pretty much took me to fig school today, and boy did I learn a lot. As far as the farm goes, it's absolutely amazing. Endless rows of fig trees, well over a thousand in total, all labeled and in pristine condition. Of course I didn't leave there empty handed. I came home with an Alma and Black Greek cuttings. I told Bill I was really after a Black Greek tree because they come from the island of Chios, where I'm from. He didn't have any mature trees of that variety, but being the great guy he is, he didn't let me leave there without one. Took me into his greenhouse and gave me 2 cuttings of a Black Greek tree. So once again, if you're within a couple hours drive of his farm, I would definitely set aside some time to make the trip down, it'll be well worth it. I attached a few pictures, but they really don't do any justice to the farm's size and how many fig trees there are.
Rewton
1291943117
Posted 1435244400
Reply with quote #2
Thanks for posting your visit at Bill's figs. I've been meaning to go for years but it's a bit of a drive and I've never made it. It looks like an amazing place.
cdeguida4
1432151798
Posted 1435244707
Reply with quote #3
great place and a great person. I was there this past Saturday for the first time, and was very surprised and impressed with his operation. also a very busy place, when I got there, there was already four customers ahead of me and he answered all questions that they had and didn't rush anyone along. I was also surprised by his variety, I noticed a few saying he had just the basics, I went there strictly to get a Stella, and I found myself thinking maybe one or two more will be nice to add to my collection after looking at each name tag and little tree.
Fico Preto, any CDD
njfigger
1434577552
Posted 1435247874
· Edited
Reply with quote #4
He definitely has more than just the basics. I spent quite some time there really looking at all the different varieties. The majority, if not all, of what he carries are varieties he selects based on their ability to survive in the local climate. I purchased one of his smaller pots and planted the Alma in it. I noticed some people saying the pots were expensive, but if you factor in your time and gas to go to the hardware store and to go buy a suitable pot, then your time to asemble it all, his price really is a bargain. Unless of course you have the time for a little project in which case one can very easily build that system. For me, my schedule is very hectic lately so I saved myself the trouble and got one right from him. With the pot, he also gave me over 10 gallons of soil, lime, and fertilizer.
cdeguida4
1432151798
Posted 1435251813
Reply with quote #5
yeah I broke down the costs to make the large pot, which I believe he said was $90. with the costs of the soil and everything it came to about $195 to make 3, not including gas. so to figure it's really only saving about $70ish plus the time to gather and build them. That is for the 25 gallon. I didn't even think to ask, how much is his smaller pots?
Fico Preto, any CDD
binbin9
1387923330
Posted 1435252380
Reply with quote #6
Whats a great operation, I love seeing other folks fig yards.
Renton, WA My Seattle Garden Blog Fig Addiction WISH LIST: Genovese Nero Rafeds | UCR 187-25 | Black Tuscan | Black Triana | Jack Lilly | Barbillone | St Rita | Tauro | Jin Ao Fen | Lampeira Preto | Any fig over 100grams =)
njfigger
1434577552
Posted 1435252393
Reply with quote #7
I paid 50 for the smaller pot
BLB
1214341548
Posted 1435252631
Reply with quote #8
Bill has an amazing set up, huge trees all over his property, well worth visiting. You should also come to his fig fest in the fall
njfigger
1434577552
Posted 1435252971
Reply with quote #9
Oh I'm looking forward to the fig fest. He gave me the dates of all the events at the farm. I also want to go down for his seminars as well
BLB
1214341548
Posted 1435253143
Reply with quote #10
that's great, you will have a wonderful time
figlayla
1430091348
Posted 1435253287
Reply with quote #11
Quote:
Originally Posted by BLB
joe morle Goccia d'Oro, atillio purple, black mission.
cdeguida4
1432151798
Posted 1435253335
Reply with quote #12
$50 is not bad at all, maybe I'll pick up a few at his seminar in July
Fico Preto, any CDD
njfigger
1434577552
Posted 1435254092
Reply with quote #13
I'd have to look at the sheet he gave me when I get home for the Fig Fest date, but the next seminar I happen to remember and its on July 16th
whiterk
1401628299
Posted 1435258170
Reply with quote #14
Very nice setup! Next time I'm up that far I'm putting it on my list of things to do.
Jarl_Berg
1435234917
Posted 1435318881
Reply with quote #15
What does he do with all those potted figs come November in NJ?
eboone
1378418906
Posted 1435319929
Reply with quote #16
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarl_Berg
http://figs4fun.com/bills_figs.html Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross
elin
1360863025
Posted 1435327699
· Edited
Reply with quote #17
I wish i could be there,
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1298814119
Jarl_Berg
1435234917
Posted 1435333756
Reply with quote #18
Quote:
Originally Posted by
eboone Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarl_Berg
This link is in the "Start here" sticky at the top of the forum topic list:
http://figs4fun.com/bills_figs.html
cdeguida4
1432151798
Posted 1435334801
Reply with quote #19
the pictures dont do it full justice either. if you see the first pic with his house to the right behind his house is a ton of huge trees in rows. very impressive place.
Fico Preto, any CDD
figlayla
1430091348
Posted 1435335491
Reply with quote #20
Quote:
Originally Posted by njfigger
joe morle Goccia d'Oro, atillio purple, black mission.
Longshot
1395356070
Posted 1435345507
Reply with quote #21
how does he go about protecting all these trees in the winter?
njfigger
1434577552
Posted 1435349616
Reply with quote #22
He brings each and every one of them into the barn. Look somewhere in this thread where someone posted the link to his over wintering process he posted
brianm
1389664758
Posted 1435355553
Reply with quote #23
The dude is HARDCORE
njfigger
1434577552
Posted 1435363707
Reply with quote #24
He told me he moves about 30-40 trees into the barn per day. He made his own cart to move them around which tilts the tree away from you so you don't have branches in your face while you're wheeling it
Norhayati
1381365278
Posted 1435390497
Reply with quote #25
. I am contemplating of going to his farm next year when I am attending my daughter's graduation at Rutgers. To bring back home a medium to big trees is a complete no no. I am wondering if Bill sells some cuttings.
ikorzha123
1434994097
Posted 1435404916
Reply with quote #26
I visited his farm to and he told me that he doesn't sell cutting. I bought 4 1 year old fig trees from him:
coop951
1217167527
Posted 1435460615
Reply with quote #27
As far as cost goes you can make a system for a little less than Bill charges. I have 3 of Bills pots and I made 3 of my own. The pots themself are quite pricy and a bit hard to find, The rest of the components are the lathe, the 4" and 1-1/2" PVC, some muslin and the mushroom compost. Bills price is very close to the cost of the components, but supporting Bill in his Fig business is important.
Coop Northern NJ Zone 7a
