Raising Figs

[drobinson]

If you have never tried growing figs, you might give them a try. Here in central Arkansas, fig trees will grow and produce well. I have 8 trees myself and usually have lots of figs to dry in the dryer, give away, and share with the birds. Most of my trees are the Brown Turkey variety. This year has been a very good year.
Figs are easy to grow, have few pests, require no spraying, will tolerate dry weather well, dry well in the sun or a dryer, and keep for several months - longer in the freezer. They are easy to pick, require no peeling, and make wonderful jam. In addition, they are very high in nutrients, especially potassium (good for the heart).
In colder climates, you would want to ask around to see what varieties will grow (some are grown as far north at New York).
And, you might have to cover them with hay or leaves to prevent frost from killing the roots. Some folks grow them in barrel halves and bring them into a garage or basement in the coldest months of winter.
Not everyone likes fresh figs but we think they are the greatest.

[the12catlady]

where do you get fig trees at? can you plant the seeds out of a dried fruit?
i saw that you said they plant them in big pots, how big do they get?
jennifer

[Wildflower]

Would Fig trees grow in NW Arkansas? Do they need full sun? Thanks, I like this idea!

[drobinson]

My figs were started from root cuttings given to me by a friend. I have shared cuttings with many friends. It is a great social plant. Although they do produce seeds, they are inside the fruit and very small. Normally, the fresh, ripe fruit is eaten, skin, seeds and all - except for the stem. The skin is very thin and the seeds are not noticed. They will keep fresh in the frig for about a week.
I doubt that one would have much success trying to raise them from seeds. Rooted cuttings are available from many seed & tree companies, including Stark Bro's. in MO, Park, Burgess, Burpee, etc.
They are best planted in the spring. In mid Arkansas they are very hardy and prolific, and I would guess they will grow in NW AR if planted on the south side of a house, or hill, to protect them from winter wind. They will freeze back if the winter temp gets down below 10 degrees, but if mulched well, the roots remain viable and will send up more shoots in the spring, which will produce a crop for that year. Larger crops are possible if the top does not freeze back as this allows more fruiting laterals.
The size of planting pots depends upon your ability to move the pot into a garage or basement in the dormant winter time. Larger is better but I have seen them growing in 18' pots, they just don't produce as much fruit. Pot planting is not as good as ground planting. They can be pruned to whatever size you want, just like any fruit tree. Their root system is very extensive and fibrous so they are heavy feeders and should not be planted close to trees or other similiar competition plants, or near septic lines. They will tolerate some shade but prefer full sun. Remember, they are a Near East plant, common in Bible times, and used to harsh growing conditions.
For northern climes, check northern tree & seed catalogues for possible varieties that do well there. I have a friend in Africa, near the tropics, that has a fig tree that produces tennis ball size fruit.
This years crop is just about over here in central AR. We have eaten all we could, I have dried many pounds until the freezer is full, the birds have eaten their fill, and still there has been lots of fruit, so that the ground is covered with ripened fruit that has fallen off (natures mulch for next year).
For more info. than you wanted to know, type in Fig culture, on your computer search engine and open the first option "Figs". It will reveal loads of info. on origin, history, culture, varieties, etc., etc. "What a neat plant."

[Black Thumb Pat]

Thank you for all your wonderful information. I was reluctant to try growing a fig tree. Do you need to have more than one for cross pollination as you do with some fruit trees? If it needs "Harsh Growing Conditions" I can do that.

Because of the help I've received on the Forum, I will try to raise my first fruit tree this spring -- a dwarf Arkansas Black.

[Bluerose]

I live in North Central Arkansas in Independence County and I have grown Figs for more than 20 years. I don't know what variety I have. I got my start from an old home place down the road from me, so I know that it is very hardy. You do not have to have more than one because Figs do not bloom, so no pollination is needed. Last winter it got down to 4 degrees and mine did not freeze down to the ground. It is a very interesting plant to grow and the leaves smell good

[Pickled_Melon]

drobinson: what size pot should they be in for fruit production? how many years until they produce enough fruit that the birds will share with you?

do you generally have an ant problem, or need to have ants to grow your variety of american figs? brazillian figs are ant-dependant.

[drobinson]

Pickled Melon: The larger the container, the better. Half a whiskey barrel would be good as figs develop an extensive and fibrous root system. Container grown will need more care such as frequent watering and feeding. They should start producing within a year or two after planting. Container figs would probably not get big enough to produce for you and the birds too.
I have two varieties of figs and I don't know the name of either one for sure, but I think the smaller fruited one (1-1 1/2 inches in dia.) is a brown turkey. The other one is larger (2-2 1/2 inches in dia.) The smaller one is not bothered much by ants and does not seem to require them to pollinate. The larger one has a larger hole in the end (about 1/6 - 1/8 inch) and when really ripe, tends to attract ants and small wasps. The birds love both varieties. The smaller one is sweeter and is preferred by those that I have given plant cuttings to. I'm not sure any variety is "American" as they are native to Asia and the near East. You live in zone 9, which is south enough to grow about any variety of fig outside in the ground. I live in zone 7. I would urge you to check on the web under "fig" for lots of info.

[40lb farmer]

you guys are basically talking about orchard clippings. how long does it take to get to fruit from seed? like from sticking a fruit in improved dirt to fighting the birds?

[ceresone]

I live 60 miles from the arkansas line, in missouri, and my fig tree has survived --outside, in the ground, for about 5 years now. i always plan on mulching it, but never do. it has figs on it now.

[GreenZone]

What variety do you grow?

[ceresone]

i have lost the tag, so i dont know. it was given to me via a greenhouse in arkansas. severe winters, it dies back to the ground, most years not.

[drobinson]

40lb Farmer:
I have no idea how long it would take to grow a fig tree to producing size from seed, as I have never tried it. I do know this, that of the hundreds of ripe figs that have fallen to the ground around my 8 trees over the years, not a single one has sprouted from seed to my knowledge. However, they do spread from the roots and from air layering when part of a limb lays on the ground for a few months.

[SelfSufficientOne]

I am surprised you get your fig trees to produce so quickly. I got a rooted peice from a neighbor about 2 ft tall. Last year was its third year and it produced 5 figs. I do believe it is finally big enough to have several figs next year though.

[GrannieB]

I grew Brown turkey from seed. It took 5 yrs for it to produce it'd first fruit(maybe 3-or 4). It's about 7yrs old now and produce it's first real crop this year.

[drobinson]

Whow! 5 yrs. to produce figs. I think I will continue to dig up sprouts and plant them when I need more fig trees. Sprouts, 12 to 14 inches, begin to produce after 2-3 yrs., and by 5 yrs. are putting on a pretty decent crop. Nonetheless, I am glad to hear of someone who actually grew figs from seed. The sprouts will grow and produce faster if they have good soil and water during dry spells. They will survive rather severe water deprivation but will produce fruit better if given the usual garden care. I found this out by experience when I moved a plant that was 3-4 years old, which had not produced anything in it's dry area, to a better soil and water site. It really took off and produced well the next year.

[littlejohn]

Is thier anyone here in the Branson/Ava MO area that I could get starts from for figs its something I have wanted to grow for a long time.

[mudmaestro]

I've got a Brown Turkey fig in front of a retaining wall here in tennessee, and it's living strong, in the second year of producing with maybe a dozen supersized figs in the first wave, and another 50 smaller ones in august. Mmmm....must have more!

[TastyofHasty]

We have a fig tree against the south wall of our chicken shed that gave us many pounds of figs last year. I cut a few 8" branches and buried 'em last fall as said to do on 'net page ... then in early spring dug 'em up and planted 'em with just an inch or so above ground in a big container on our deck. They're there now, just sitting around. Am watching for any signs of life. Will have to see. We're about 20 miles SE of Harrison, AR. I'm thinking maybe if they 'take,' I'll plant a couple more in warm microclimates around here. We keep a 100 watt lightbulb going in chicken shed on cold winter days; maybe that's what's been helping fig tree stay warm, too(?), plus being against a south wall. Oh yeah, and when I clean out the chicken house, guess what tree gets lots of chicken poo?

[Helen Wong-Joe]

I bought a Brown Turkey fig tree early this year and lo and behold I got fruits already. Just couple of days ago, I plucked 2 of the most delicious figs I have ever eaten. They were light and sweet. I can't wait until the others are ripe.

[johno]

I have recieved young fig trees as gifts on two occasions. I have a single in one pot and three growing in another. I have been bringing them inside during the winter, fearing they would freeze to death here. Sounds like they might handle it though? How old should I let them get (or how big) before I try planting them outside? Also, I heard somewhere that it takes a specific insect to pollinate fig trees is this true? and if so, will it appear on its own?

[redbrick]

I had my fig for two years before I left it outside for the winter. After it went dormant, I surrounded it with burlap bags filled with dry leaves. I tied them together, propped them up with a wooden stake (after the whole dang thing fell over!), and wrapped the affair in tar paper to shed water. It survived just fine, except for the mice eating buds over the winter. This year I think I'm gonna add a box of moth balls, even if it isn't exactly organic! BTW, we regularly get about a month of teens and single digit lows each year, occasionally with a sub-zero deep freeze.

Some figs , called Capra figs, do need a pollinating wasp, but Brown Turkey, Golden, and most others don't. They just set fruit on their own.

[mrtomatoexpres]

i just got 5 branches from a fig tree i put them in a 5 gal pail in soil for right now the lady from greenthumb nursery said i can start them like that they have a bunch of them that way they even have 1 that is about a foot tall and had 1 fig on it they wanted 10.00 for it she gave me the braches from the big fig tree :) when i was a kid we had 5 fig trees we would wrap them in burlap and put a 5 gal pail on the top then wrap it does anyone now were i can get italian green fig and white fig tree :)

[TastyofHasty]

Just wanted to say that of the 8, 8", 1/2" thick, fig branches I cut off my fig (I think "Celeste") tree when dormant early last winter, buried for about 2 months, dug up in early spring & planted in dirt with only about 1-1/2" above ground, 4 of the 8 sprouted leaves & grew. That's 50% success rate! Just for cutting the right size branches off the tree & a bit of digging & planting! Then I tried to repot one of them & the dirt fell off it & it didn't make it repotted ... but did repot one other that succeeded, & still have two more in the original big pot I started 'em in. I am "into" giving 'em away to neighbors, however, and all are promised! ... but next year I will do MORE ...

just wanted to let y'all who HAVE fig trees know ... you CAN propagate this way ... and it's cool to have extra fig trees to give away. :D

[robert.fallis]

I have a small fig tree, here in Lincolnshire, winter frosts are not deep here (8centigrad) so it survies outside, against a south facing wall, but the roots are contained in a2 foot pot without a bottom, and sunk in the soil, this make the tree stay small and put its energy into fruit rather than wood


bob

[mobi]

i just got 5 branches from a fig tree i put them in a 5 gal pail in soil for right now the lady from greenthumb nursery said i can start them like that they have a bunch of them that way they even have 1 that is about a foot tall and had 1 fig on it they wanted 10.00 for it she gave me the braches from the big fig tree :) when i was a kid we had 5 fig trees we would wrap them in burlap and put a 5 gal pail on the top then wrap it does anyone now were i can get italian green fig and white fig tree :)

mrtomatoexpress do you know if there are any other names these figs go by?? I was looking in my book cornucopiaII for a listing of these and didn't see them.Chestnut Hill Nursery 15105 N.W 94th Ave. ,Alachua ,FL 32615 ph.# (904)-462-4330 claims to carry more than 15 cultivers of figs and orientel persimmons.The catalog is free.I will look around some more later :) Mobi

[mrtomatoexpres]

thanks mobi :)

[mobi]

:) Hey mrtomatoexpress another source of figs, plus other cool plants is Logee's greenhouse LTD out of Danielson ,CT. It seems like it would be a great roadtrip! I lived in Westport CT and Weston Ct a long time ago. I will continue my / your fig search. Mobi

[mrtomatoexpres]

hi mobi i just watched peopleplaces and plants on hgtv sundays at 7:00 am they were at logee's and ellliot and barbra were on the show to if you want a copy let me now great show what about gilberties greenhouse :)

[fawnmeadow]

Was happy to find this thread, we are in south central mo and bought 2 Brown Turkey fig trees from Stark a year ago and put them in large pots. There were figs on it last fall but they all fell off before ripening. We stored them in the barn over the winter, but put them out a little too early and killed the leaves that were starting. They came back and have figs just starting to ripen now, we ate our first one 2 days ago, and small but sweet. Not like anything we've ever bought in a store!
We've been debating on putting it directly in the ground next year so that the figs might grow larger. Nice to know that it can survive around here.
Phyllis

[mrtomatoexpres]

looks like 3 made it the little one has little roots on it the 2 big ones bottom leaves are nice if i get 1 iam glad iam going to put it in a 5 gal pail and bring it in the house for the winter :)

[ipaintedmyhousewhite]

Okay here's my fig question: I bought a Brown Turkey tree in late April and it had tiny unripe figs on it. They fell off. I planted the tree in the ground and it grew really well throughout the season. It put out figs two more times, and neither time they ripened. The second time, they disappeared...I watched but never saw birds or any other animal near the tree. The third time was the largest bunch, which withered in the cold.

What should I do to get some figs that will actually ripen? I gave it bone meal when I planted it.At the time of planting the tree was about three feet tall. It never showed any signs of stress, was/is vigorous. Could it just have been a bad year, weatherwise? I know it was a bit strange, spring was long and chilly and fairly wet, summer very dry and autumn seems not to have ended, even now. I think it was 60 degrees today (highly unusual). I have heard on several occasions that it was a terrible year for tomatoes in our area due to these conditions. Was my tree just little and confused?

Help?

[redbrick]

When the figs disappeared, had they started drooping on the stem? That's the best way I have for determining when my Golden figs are ripe (there isn't a whole lot of color difference between "green" and ripe on Goldens). Could it be that something other than birds got your harvest, say raccoons perhaps? Maybe you could try a netting drape over the tree.

[Sandbar]

At the last house we owned, had a Bartlett pear in the middle of the back yard about 30' from the house. Was working in my office (spare bedroom) and saw the pear tree swaying back and forth. Thought to myself, "Is a storm approaching? ... it doesn't sound windy at all." Peeked out and saw a momma raccoon and two babies scarfing all my pears down! A third baby on the ground was munching on anything the others dropped.

Since it was an old, dying tree that I hadn't had the heart to cut down, I just let them go. They cleaned it up in about three nights... :)

[robert.fallis]

Did you constrian the roots when you planted the fig, mines in a 2'6" dia.plastic pot with the bottom cut out. this stops the plant from making to large a root system, and make it concentrate on fruit rather than plant, also it seems to take figs some years to settle down, mine took about 3yrs

bob

[ipaintedmyhousewhite]

I did use a net the second time it put figs on...and I cut one of the larger green ones off (they were all quite small) and cut it open; it did not look or smell at all ripe. I suppose another creature could have found its way in through the net as I was very careless in application.

I did not constrain the roots when I planted it. I know that it is a good idea, but I didn't do it. Part of my reasoning was that our soil is heavy clay and I didn't think the roots would run rampant in the same way as in a lighter soil. I should have just done it. Well, I'll wait it out and see if it does settle down.

Thanks!

[TastyofHasty]

Woo hooo folks! Just dug up the fig cuttings I buried a foot underground last um ... I think it was December. They are lookin' good! (Tip top end is yellowy-green and they are nicely damp & look like they are still alive.) Threw 'em in a bucket of rainwater for the few minutes I'm writing this. Today I will dunk their bottom ends in rooting powder (didn't do this last year and they STILL grew leaves) and plant with just one top bud out of the dirt. This year, I'm planting them in clay pots ... better air flow, maybe. Just thought I'd mention it ...

[sugarcanedaddy]

Fig trees are very pop here in South Louisiana, I have 4 brown turkey trees in my yard, I planted Momma 2 LSU Purple trees last fall fert them 3 weeks ago they are looking good Fig trees are very easy to raise I plant them on a 12' mound above the water table fert 2 times a year 13-13-13 When they are ready to pick better get to them or the birds will----------------Dan:D

[TastyofHasty]

Fig trees are very popular here in central NW Arkansas, too! Ours is about 10' tall & has been producing figs all the years we've been here (since 2003). So if I can grow from cuttings, since none of our local stores seem to have "got it together" to figure out they could sell fig trees here, I have something nice to pass out to local gardeners. :D

[jennyz]

A lady down the street from me has a HUGE fig tree. The fresh figs right off the tree are devine!. I'm absolutely addicted. I am so glad for all the info you all are sharing, because I too wondered what variety to grow and whether or not they needed a second tree for cross pollination. Thanks again for all of you sharing your bits of knowledge-I'll get a couple of trees-I already have barrells!:p

[MAAldrich]

Hey,
I'm renting a house that has two figs in the back yard. Last year we moved in at the end of September when the last of the second crop was ripening. I have no idea what variety this tree is but the fruit was wonderful. Anyhow, this year the fig's leaves started coming out about a week before Easter because it was in the 70s for two weeks. Easter week we had a hard frost and now 90% of one tree is dead leaves and 2/3 of the other is dead leaves. I'm wondering if there's any hope of figs this year and if there is how can I help the poor babies out?

[redbrick]

It sounds like patience is in order. The first crop is probably lost, but you should get a second crop. I'm thinking that the trees should throw new leaves to replace the frosted ones, although I'd be worried about the one that lost the most.

[knighttrain]

OK - One of my fig trees has a crop of fruit this year (3rd year from 4" pot). I've never actually grown figs before and have only picked them once (when I was a little kid visiting my grandmother in New Orleans). Any trick to harvesting? When do I know they're ripe? I do know they have to turn color first. Do I pick them hard and wait or when they soften on the tree? Please help. thanks -Mike

[GreenZone]

If they're purple figs, they need to turn color. I never picked the green type. They should also get soft (dead ripe) prior to picking. If picked earlier, I don't know if they ripen or not. All I know is, I've picked them at the eating stage, and eaten them. Boy are they good!

Randel

[TastyofHasty]

On our Celeste fig tree, (we didn't get any ripe fruit this year, BTW, 'cause of Easter Freeze that killed half the tree) ... you can tell the figs are ripe when their stem softens and the fruit droops downwards. They do change color -- get darker and sometimes purplish. Also you can tell by the softness (try eating one, they should be soft and sweet). They ripen on the tree, not after picking. After a while of picking figs, you will know which ones are ripe.;)

[hikingonthru]

OK - One of my fig trees has a crop of fruit this year (3rd year from 4" pot). I've never actually grown figs before and have only picked them once (when I was a little kid visiting my grandmother in New Orleans). Any trick to harvesting? When do I know they're ripe? I do know they have to turn color first. Do I pick them hard and wait or when they soften on the tree? Please help. thanks -Mike


For turkey figs, They will be all purple. At the stem, they tend to "bend over"/droop more than at other times they are growing.

BUT the best way to know how to pick YOUR fig is this: Start pulling and eating at the tree. You will, in about 3 minutes, figure out how you like them best. Some folks like them dead ripe and a bit shriveled near the stem. Some like with a little light green still at the stem end. I have yet to meet anyone that likes them half-ripe.

NOW, if you want to make some fig preserves that will just liven up a pan of biscuits I have MawMaw's recipe.

[Bluerose]

I would love to have your MawMaw's recipe for fig preserves.

Thanks

[knighttrain]

Thankyou GreenZone, TastyofHasty & hikingonthru. I appreciate your responses to my question on picking figs. I'm really looking forward harvesting (and eating).

[hikingonthru]

Maw-Maw's recipe for fig preserves..

First, get you about 1-2 dozen pint jars and scald them out really good. Let them dry on a towel on the counter upside down.

Once you have got you a bait of dead ripe figs, give them a quick rinse in a collander and do this. Pick the stems off the fig and give it a litte squeeze to split its side open a hair. Toss in the bowl. Every 4th or 5th one leave whole (unsqueezed). When you get a layer of figs 1-2 figs deep, sprinkle really heavy with sugar. Don't totally bury the figs, but each one should be dusted pretty heavily. Keep layering and sprinkling till you use up all your figs. At the top of the bowl just put a lot of sugar. We've always used white pure cane, but I am sure raw sugar would work, too. What we are trying to do here is macerate the figs in the sugar. Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge overnight. There should be sugary fig juice in the bottom in the AM.

Dump these in a large heavy bottomed pot. Take a care spatula and rake all that syrupy fluid out of the bowl into the pot too. Start the pot, covered, and on low. Stir frequently once things start to warm up. When all the sugar is melted you can turn it up to med-low or even med. to stew the figs in this syrup. It'll bubble and scorch if you are not careful. Once the figs are cooked how you want them - you will be able to tell - fill jars per your pressure canner's instructions. Then can them per canner's instructions. Some folks forego the canning and make it as freezer jam, but it is not as good!

Now, I use the pressure canner rather than the waterbath since botulism occurs naturally on figs. I believe you can just get higher temps with the pressure canner.

Serve with fresh baked homemade biscuits! To serve on storebought - well, you ought'n just spit in the preserves!!!

Maw-maw had the best fig preserves around. The recipe is no huge secret either! I think it was her love that made them so good

[mrtomatoexpres]

can i cut a green branch off and plant it.

[mrtomatoexpres]

here is my favorite way to raise figs:p:D:rolleyes: look what website iam on.man iam i fat

[redbrick]

can i cut a green branch off and plant it.

You're supposed to be able to do it that way. I've never had any luck with it, except for the one time. I had moved my fig tree, and noticed that I had snapped off a low branch that had root initials forming at the base. I stuck it in a pot and cut it back by half, and it promptly dropped all of it's leaves. Figuring it was done for, I forgot all about it. About aq month later it had pushed new leaves, and now it's doing fine!

[drobinson]

Some of you may be interested in a fig growing update from my neck of the woods (or garden).
Last springs frost in April did a number on all my figs except one sugar fig next to the house on the south side. When frost hit, they were all well leafed out with many small figs. Afterwards, the leaves turned black and the figs dropped off. The same happened to the persimmons, walnuts, et all. Later the figs grew back some leaves which looked rather knarled and smaller than usual. They also put out more figs and my hope went up. But, as the summer wore on, one could tell that the fig trees were struggling. Apparently the frost injured the tissues of the producing limbs. The fruit never got full size and finally most fell off. Some of the trees put out new suckers and right now in mid Sept. they have healthy looking figs on them but I doubt they will have time to ripen before fall frost - around 30th of October in mid Arkansas. By the way, all the peaches, apples, blueberries, etc. got killed also. Oh well, gardeners live in hope for next year and no April hard frost. And, we do still have some dried figs from last year in the freezer to much on.

[TastyofHasty]

drobinson, our fig tree went through very similar symptoms, and actually died down to about 4 feet off the ground ... with some leaves a bit higher here and there. We got lots of little figs that never got ripe, too, and there are still many unripe figs on the now shortened tree.

BTW, how are your hardy kiwis doing? I just wonder if the "Easter Freeze" may have gotten them, too.

[redbrick]

Drobinson, I know how you feel. Last year, when I uncrated my fig for the season, I found that mice had eaten half of the new buds for the spring crop, and ants got nost of the fall crop. This year, I had to move it in June, so I lost most of this year's crop,both spring and fall, as well. I did get a few to taste though. Oh well, the important part for both of us is that the trees lived, and there's always next year. Plus, I now have a (probable) Chicago fig to go with my Golden. I bought it at an auction for six dollars at a BYFG meeting, so I'm not really concerned by it's lack of provenance, especially since I know it'll overwinter in my region, with a little help from me ("crating" for the winter).

[knighttrain]

Squirrels got all my figs before ripening. I'll give them one more year to see if this vegatable/fruit raiding thing is a one-season fad - then I'm buying an air rifle to thin the herd.

[MAXEY]

Hi all - I need some guidance. I just brought 5 fig tree cuttings with roots from my Grandmother's fig tree. Hers are the best I've ever eaten and was surprised last summer how much my daughter and 2 grandchildren loved them! (peaches the 4 year old calls them). It is of utmost importance to me that I am successful growing them as my Grandmother is 95 and not the best of health. They were cut on Saturday and was Monday night when I was able to put them into temporary pots. I mixed top soil and black kow. Have them on my porch and will bring them in when there's a freeze. Will plant them in the yard in the spring. Please advise me what to do to ensure their health and growth. My yard seems to lack some nutrients - soil test said I "could" use some lime, ph is 6.5 I think and it was low on nitrogen - I forget the rest off hand. Will appreciate your input.

[TastyofHasty]

MAXEY, welcome to iDig! I've grown figs from cuttings. For the first year, leave them in their pots, I'd say; but make sure they get enough water and sunlight. For winter, keep the roots from freezing ... either bring them inside during freezing temps, or bury the pots or cover with leaves the depth of the pot. In Spring, the cuttings will LOOK dead because all their leaves are gone, and they take quite awhile for the leaves to come out.

When they are strongly rooted in their second year, plant in a place where they will get good full sun. In My Experience, figs like to be planted near cement, as in patios, driveways, etc. Probably for the lime(?) They like sun and heat! If you have a south-facing brick wall, for instance, you could plant the tree about 8' away from it. The brick wall reflects the heat onto the tree.

[boizeau]

I'm looking for a Fig Variety 'Neverella' which is supposed to do well in my region, "Western WA". If anyone knows where I could get a few cuttings, please send me an email. I do have Desert King and Brunswick and they do pretty good here.

[redbrick]

Boizeau, try going to www.treesofjoy.com . The site owner, Bass, may be able to help you. He lives in PA, but he's a wealth of information on figs worldwide. He may be able to give you a supplier's name.

[boizeau]

I grow 5 kinds of Figs up hear near Tacoma WA.

Brunswick
Desert King
Violet DE Bordeaux
Lattarula
Magnolia

Magnolia is my favorite, has a lot of fruit and ripens every year.

We are short on summer heat, so I need early ripening 'Breba' crop figs.

Nematodes can be a real problem down south.