And a partridge in a fig tree

[jessicac]

Has anyone had personal experience growing a fig tree in this area? What cultivar did you grow? How were your yields?

I'd really like to put a fig into the yard, but there are a lot of varieties to choose from and I'm not sure if it would be better to grow directly in the ground or put it in a pot and haul it inside every winter....

Comments

[minim_calibre]

My sister's grew well for years. I have a Brown Turkey, and I wish I'd gone with a different variety.

[jessicac]

Good feedback! That was one of the varieties I was considering. I am now striking it from the list.

[domestinatrix]

I have no personal experience of growing a fig tree, but my experience with fig trees that others have grown in this area has generally been that they're beautiful but it doesn't get hot enough around here to grow figs worth eating.

My aunt & uncle had a fig tree in New York for years and years. They had it planted in the ground and just covered it with plastic in the winter to keep it warm. It typically gets much colder and snowier there than it does here, so I don't know whether covering it would be necessary or even helpful in the Pacific Northwest. I also know that it's customary in Italy to plant fig trees near/over outdoor ovens to help get them enough heat to ripen the fruit.

[minim_calibre]

Trust me when I say that before the trees next door got too big, my sisters were well-worth eating!

When I am home, I will dig up my NW fig research info (sadly done after planting the wrong fig).

[emmacrew]

I read an article in Sunset (at some point in the past 6 months) which mentioned a fig developed to grow well in the Pacific NW. Sadly I don't have the name, but I bet the folks at Molbak's would know.

[catherinew]

I have no experience, but my LJ friend rengal does -- maybe drop her a line? I seem to recall they were much happier in full sun.