Comments on: FRESH FIGS FOR COLD CLIMATES

By: pdforsyth

pdforsyth — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:59:46 +0000

Sorry for the delayed response. . . I hope you found a way to protect your figs in time! Burlap will definitely help, even better if you can pack it with fallen leaves (maybe inside a large tomato cage or small ring of fencing). When that’s done, great to cover the whole thing with a garbage bag or tarp to keep the rain out. You generally don’t want the plastic in direct contact with the fig, because that can trap moisture and mould.

By: Sumiko Kanda

Sumiko Kanda — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:24:27 +0000

Hi, I have two year old Brown Turkey in my back yard and I want to protect before we start having severe weather.
What I have is burlap to wrap these trees.
What else do I need?
If I cover with large trash can after I finish wrapping these trees, is it bad idea?
I was looking for tar paper to wrap but only tar paper I found is very large roll in gardening center.
Needless to say, I don’t need that much tar paper knowing I am not fixing our roof.
What can I use other than tar paper?
Is it good idea to pack with fallen leaves?
Please let me know.

Sumiko

By: pdforsyth

pdforsyth — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:52:31 +0000

Sounds like the problem isn’t in overwintering the figs, but in getting ripened fruits. Full sun is key. A south-facing wall or other source of radiant heat would also help. Perhaps you are unwrapping your figs too late and thus postponing growth and fruiting. Do try the olive oil trick, I am curious on whether that works. My favorite of the cold hardy figs is Chicago Hardy, but certainly Celeste, Brown Turkey, and any of the other recommended hardy types should work. Potted figs do tend to ripen sooner, so if nothing else, you can grow more of those. . .

By: E.E. Cone

E.E. Cone — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:53:29 +0000

I live about 80 miles south of Philly in a cool valley. I have been growing Brown Turkey in a pot and taking it in for years and allowing it go dormant, no water, no light until late Feb early March and get a great batch of figs every year. But I would like to find a fig that will grow and produce figs outside in the yard that get ripe in my zone 6 climate. I have tried everything from building an igloo with bales of straw around the fig to the burlap and leaves suggestion you mention. Sometimes I get figs but they don’t have time to get ripe. I will try the olive oil trick you mention. Do you have any recommendations for a variety the will work in my climate? I have tried and have growing in the yard Verde, Celeste and Petite nigra, but never get ripe figs.
Thank you for a very interesting article.