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Subject: OT - Life update Replies: 17
Posted By: Nichole Views: 895
 
What kind of surgery did Luce end up needing? I missed the earlier updates.

Subject: Negronne Replies: 13
Posted By: Nichole Views: 629
 
I think this is the last fig I'll get for the season. My negronne is a beautiful shrub shaped tree, healthy, with lots of branching. I was disappointed when it only set 4 brebas, and then only kept 2. Something got one, leaving me with just this one. Could have used one or two more days but I didn't want to risk it. 

It had nice seed crunch (I like that) and a slight berry flavor to it. Still a young tree. Gave me one breba last year but one of my pups ate it so this was my first go. I just wish it was a heavier producer of the brebas.

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Subject: Any one have a Hanc Mathes Atreano they want to sell cuttings or an airlayer from? Replies: 44
Posted By: Nichole Views: 1,439
 
Interesting topic. I also got my atreano from OGW. It died last winter but after reading this thread I may seek out a replacement from another source. Thanks.

Subject: Fig Preserves Replies: 4
Posted By: Nichole Views: 384
 
I committed a mortal preserve sin late last night with my last batch of the night - I let them simmer too long :(
The sugars burned on the bottom of the pot. I put them in jars but didn't seal them. If my husband thinks they're salvageable I'll let him eat them otherwise I'll throw that batch away. Darn me getting distracted with Facebook! I have enough for 2 more batches. I may toss in a couple of plums just to use them up.

Subject: Picture I- 258 Breba 15th Aug 2014 Replies: 7
Posted By: Nichole Views: 565
 
Paully - beautiful. Is that variety a heavy breba producer?

Subject: Fig Preserves Replies: 4
Posted By: Nichole Views: 384
 
We've been having a glorious summer over here in Seattle with more sunny days than we are accustomed. My DK tree was huge and heavy with fruit. I have been watching the fruit and declared that this weekend would be the weekend for preserves. Well during the week the rain came and my fruit went from beautiful to ugly and swollen. What a shame. Lost a lot of the fruit but salvaged what I could.

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You can see all the fruit that is split but with preserves it doesn't matter. It all boils down the same.
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The walnuts balance out the sweetness nicely. Very tasty. Look forward to slapping this stuff on some cheese and crackers. Maybe crack open a bottle of wine :)

http://mymansbelly.com/2010/09/03/fig-jam-preserves-or-confit-just-call-it-delicious/

My pups came out cleaned up all the fruit that had fallen to the ground. Sadie is normally a lean athlete but she's looking a little pregnant. Pregnant on figs. She's in a fat fig coma.
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Subject: Fig cake Replies: 16
Posted By: Nichole Views: 503
 
Ice cream would do the trick, too ;)

Subject: Fig cake Replies: 16
Posted By: Nichole Views: 503
 
Adding applesauce would sweeten a little and add moistness - 2 birds 1 stone. Might try that next time.

Subject: Fig cake Replies: 16
Posted By: Nichole Views: 503
 
It turned out good! Very dense, only a little sweet so if that's your thing you'll like it. Personally I might mix a little honey into the batter to sweeten it just a touch more, and maybe a little more greek yogurt to make it a touch more moist. But a lot of people loved it.

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Subject: Fig cake Replies: 16
Posted By: Nichole Views: 503
 
I made this recipe tonight: http://www.acleanbake.com/2013/08/fig-and-almond-cake.html

Going into oven
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All done!
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Bringing it to a potlatch tomorrow at work. Will report back! I hope it isn't too dry,

Subject: Seattle purple unknown beauty! +2 new pic Replies: 24
Posted By: Nichole Views: 1,003
 
It looks similar to the fig my friend brought to me off her tree, it was very good. I asked her for cuttings this winter. She doesn't know the name of the fig as she has had it for years.

Subject: No one is immune... Replies: 12
Posted By: Nichole Views: 475
 
Don't you just hate that? I had a thread dedicated to watching my first ever fig ripening ... then my dog ate it.

Subject: Some pics from today Replies: 17
Posted By: Nichole Views: 620
 
Joe, I purchased two! I am giving one to a good family friend. She has no figs and her first will be Olympian. I will give her DK later. I can't wait until it produces. I'm pretty excited about it.

Subject: Hardy Chicago in PNW? Replies: 4
Posted By: Nichole Views: 410
 
I have a HC and it does nothing for me. I had it when I lived in Seattle and I brought it with me when I moved to Maple Valley. It puts out brebas and they don't hold. We usually don't have enough heat for the main crop to ripen - which is true of all fig tree varieties. There aren't any fig varieties currently in circulation that will ripen the main crop consistently. It died last winter which is funny because it's supposed to survive cold winters. I don't plan on getting another one.

Subject: Some pics from today Replies: 17
Posted By: Nichole Views: 620
 
I also have a MDS from Mr Watts. I thought I had lost it over winter but I am pleased to see it is finally showing signs of life. Next year I plan on putting a few of my figs in ground. I might put the two MDS trees side by side and see if they differ since they are from different sources. I agree with you on the work of potted figs. I hope to get my greenhouse up and running and am going to plant a hedge of figs along it. When the figs get big they will offer summer shade for the greenhouse.

Subject: Gag Me With A Fig Replies: 12
Posted By: Nichole Views: 578
 
At many markets you are allowed to sample, especially farmers markets. Can you ask to sample one before buying a bunch? Or buy just one, eat it, and then run away screaming or buy more ;)

Subject: Some pics from today Replies: 17
Posted By: Nichole Views: 620
 
I had already seen it so I have no excuse. Just impatience. I need to get some of those bags to put over the fruit. I bought some on amazon last night - I'll be more apt to leave it alone. We have a lot of birds here.

Subject: Some pics from today Replies: 17
Posted By: Nichole Views: 620
 
Rafed - I do work in the medical field. My chosen career path is ultrasound which does require a little bit of an artistic eye - the ultrasound tells a story, much like photography. I often tell my patients it's part art and part science. My analytical mind and artistic eye do a good job of meshing together for the job. But my photography is a hobby and I do it to make me happy without expectations :)

Bob - I will try reeeaaaallly hard to be more patient with the other two!

Subject: Some pics from today Replies: 17
Posted By: Nichole Views: 620
 

I'm trying to update my fig inventory. I think I can say with reasonable certainty who survived winter and who did not so I am going through, composting some, updating labels, and taking updated pics to show progress of the surviving trees. Lots more to do tomorrow.

This is Shih Berdy. She gave me a breba early in the season but didn't hold it. Young, small tree so not a shocker. But look at all these main crop figs on such a small plant. This tree really wants to reproduce. Shame they won't ripen in my climate. I am looking forward to this tree maturing.
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Another tree I have been excited about is Madeleine of 2 Seasons - I got this tree last year from raintree nursery and this is her first year bearing fruit. Four brebas, one I tried a few days ago but needed more time. I tried another today but I proved myself to be impatient, again. Needed a 1-3 more days. It was tasteless without much sugar, more time wouldn't have changed that much. I expect these things from a young tree. But it had nice seed crunch, which I like, and the skin was soft. I hope it improves enough to be worth keeping over the years.
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This is the breba I harvested today - not ready. Sadie came in to sniff it as I was photographing it. Not posed, and when I told her to leave it she did. She's obedient. Just curious. 
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I just like this picture. This is an unknown spanish fig. The pups posed themselves. It was a relaxing evening. I'm so glad we moved. I love sitting on this covered porch, listening to the birds, watching the dogs chase vermin in the yard. Gotta love terriers. My puppy eats the mice...
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Hope everyone is having a good summer

Subject: It would have been my first Fig ever Replies: 12
Posted By: Nichole Views: 512
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Savage270
I wanted my first fig to be special :( not to have the memories tainted by bird leftovers :(


Fig virginity is taken seriously around here ;)

Subject: OT: Just Picked Replies: 25
Posted By: Nichole Views: 592
 
I want to grow mangos SO BAD! I'm uber jealous.

Subject: OT. Neighbors yard. Replies: 17
Posted By: Nichole Views: 700
 
You're daughter will be renting the neighboring rental house? Well that is fun :)

Subject: Pic 25th July 2014 - Granthams Royal In PNW Replies: 8
Posted By: Nichole Views: 874
 
Paully your post makes me happy. I have a ganthams royal fig. Still young, no brebas. Do you have yours in the ground or containerized? Looks like there are lots of brebas.

Subject: First fig of the season Replies: 15
Posted By: Nichole Views: 649
 
In my Seattle garden I had no way to separate the pups from the edibles so they ate everything. Nowadays we have 4 acres. Some edibles are accessible to the pups, but the new vegetable garden (not created yet) will be fenced off from the wild omnivores. Also getting a large hoop house. With doors that will be closed :)

We have a young orchard in the making. The pups will clean up anything that drops. They'll be so happy!

Subject: First fig of the season Replies: 15
Posted By: Nichole Views: 649
 
Mine like lettuce with a little dressing on it ;)

Subject: First fig of the season Replies: 15
Posted By: Nichole Views: 649
 
Oh goodness, I'm not sure there is a fruit or veggie they'll turn their nose at, except maybe raw onion. When prepping salads and greens in the kitchen we often feed the scraps to the pups which negates the need for a compost pile. The other day I made a kale salad and gave them the hard center stalks. When I had watermelon yesterday I gave them the green rind. The other day Violet was showing the puppy how to maneuver the big thorns in the gooseberry bushes to get to the sweet/tart berries within. Stinkers.

They even eat fresh brussels sprouts

Subject: First fig of the season Replies: 15
Posted By: Nichole Views: 649
 
Oh yeah, this climate does apples, plums, cherries, a ton of berries, cool crop veggies, etc extremely well. I've never had a main crop fig before and I don't think I want to because then I'll know what I'm missing :)

Subject: First fig of the season Replies: 15
Posted By: Nichole Views: 649
 
My co-worker surprised me today by bringing me one of her ripe figs. She can't remember what the name of it is, but the fruit (a breba) is dark and it is sweet. I asked her for some cuttings this winter. I liked it better than yesterday's Italian Honey fig!

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Subject: Introduction from Des Moines, WA Replies: 27
Posted By: Nichole Views: 844
 
Good morning and welcome! I am another one of the Seattle area locals, living in Maple Valley. Progress can be quite the bummer. We just moved from living in Seattle proper out to 4 acres and brought all my figs with me! Haven't looked back. Enjoy the figs - I'm eying my Desert King with the same look of anticipation right now.

Subject: One CRAZY story--for the love of figs! Replies: 58
Posted By: Nichole Views: 1,584
 
I bet if you'd met them when they were sober the reaction would have been different. I imagine the old man is happy you got those cuttings - the mother tree is gone now but her children live on.

Subject: First fig of the season Replies: 15
Posted By: Nichole Views: 649
 
I share nearly everything I grow with the pups. I don't mind.

Subject: Cuttings Never Die! Replies: 5
Posted By: Nichole Views: 442
 
Awesome. A young tree I thought died last winter is finally showing me signs of life today. Made my morning. Figs are vivacious little things.

Subject: First fig of the season Replies: 15
Posted By: Nichole Views: 649
 
For me, in the Seattle area, it's Italian Honey. It's ugly as sin. I think a bird pecked it when it wasn't quite ready and bruised it a bit. I shared it with the puppy. His first fig. He approved.

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Next up will be Madeleine Des Deux Saisons
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Subject: Urban homesteading on small city block Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 825
 
I love Roco's prick ears. Adorable. And yes, I know that conversation well ;)

Subject: Urban homesteading on small city block Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 825
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AussieBackyardGardener40

I am growing fruit trees both in the ground and about 20 in pots (some bought dwarf stock and some grown from seeds of my favourite fruit that I've bought in shops but couldnt find the plants to buy in nurseries and so have grown my favorite varieties of plums, peaches, apples etc in pots, so in a few years they should bear fruit as they are still quite tiny at present. 


Growing from seed can be fun, just know the quirks that comes with it. Seeds often won't breed true. They're often cross pollinated with whatever variety of trees are around them, so every fruit will bear a different kind of tree depending on the genetics that mixed to create that unique seed. Another down side is standard fruit trees are HUGE! Probably a lot bigger than you're hoping in a smaller lot where space is a premium.  And seedlings take longer to bear fruit. You could take those seedlings and graft them onto dwarf or semi dwarf rootstock once the seedlings are bigger and stronger. 

Subject: Urban homesteading on small city block Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 825
 
Gen - you'll have so much fun planning and making it all come together. The key things that made it all work for us was planting while planning for mature tree size so you don't over plant and create an unhealthy jungle, planning ahead to know that you'll have to prune smart to keep your fruit trees manageable, use dwarf or semi dwarf root stock, and growing espalier fruit trees along your fence line really jams them in there! Berry bushes and other small edibles can help fill in those spaces.

m5allen - they are indeed SBT's. I have three of them. You are right, they are not common over here at all. Love em to bits!
Tucker (left) is 9 months, Sadie (middle) is 5 yrs, and Violet (right) is 4 yrs
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Subject: Urban homesteading on small city block Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 825
 

Before
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During
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After
Trellis installed for espalier fruit trees (2 pears and an apple)
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Subject: Urban homesteading on small city block Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 825
 
Before I moved we had a small urban lot, about 3500 SF all said, including the footprint of the house. We managed to pack a lot of stuff in that yard. Here is the plans we had drawn up. It was a lot of fun. I miss that little yard. It really packed a punch. Edible landscaping was the theme.

Here's the layout we followed. Some changes along the way but you get the idea.
http://niroha.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Back-Yard-Landscape-Project/i-gvtwtxD/0/X3/DSC_0007-X3.jpg

Subject: Best fertilizer increasing fig harvest Replies: 7
Posted By: Nichole Views: 987
 
Dave that sounds like a great formula

Subject: My special figgy ripened yesterday... Replies: 51
Posted By: Nichole Views: 1,044
 
Congrats on your cutie!

Subject: Happy and relieved Replies: 9
Posted By: Nichole Views: 571
 
My little colar is getting acclimated to the big world outside of the humidity chamber. So far so good!

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Subject: PNW Fig Friends BBQ Meeting Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 953
 
Thanks for correcting me, Bob. He was the only one I wasn't 100% certain about. I'm horrible with names. I'm teaching at the college right now and I already warned them I won't remember anyone's name. Major flaw of mine ;)

Subject: PNW Fig Friends BBQ Meeting Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 953
 
Fresh grilled salmon sounds heavenly

Subject: OT - Need your prayers Replies: 68
Posted By: Nichole Views: 1,856
 
I am so sorry Jo-Ann. I hope the path before your family becomes more clear with time and that path brings peace and healing, whichever way that may go.

Subject: PNW Fig Friends BBQ Meeting Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 953
 
Oh and no figs. Most our figs ripen late July and August.

Subject: PNW Fig Friends BBQ Meeting Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 953
 
I am really bad with names but I will try.

Left to right
Bill (not a forum member), Grasa, Slavi, KiwiBob, me, and TahomaGuy2

There were other members there that left early and we didn't think to pull out the camera before they left. We'll be more 'on it' next time. 
Thanks to KiwiBob for bringing his camera, and for Grasa's SO for taking the pic!

Subject: PNW Fig Friends BBQ Meeting Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 953
 
Thanks for hosting Slavi. I didn't eat much but everyone said it was amazing ;)

I hope this becomes a tradition!

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Subject: PNW Fig Friends BBQ Meeting Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 953
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grasa
Where are the Seattle people?


Melting in the summer sun.

Subject: PNW Fig Friends BBQ Meeting Replies: 23
Posted By: Nichole Views: 953
 
Bumping this up -

I am still going to try to come. My family has decided to drive down to see our new home. I think they will probably be gone by 4 pm but we shall see :)

Subject: Independence Day Replies: 20
Posted By: Nichole Views: 664
 
Ruuting, just my regular 50mm lens, but a color mask was applied for the black/white + color combo.