Figs You Can Grow in Cold Climates

[@charlesdevier8203]

mid-Missouri new grow zone 6b. We have two Chicago Hardy and two Improved Celeste in-ground in our orchard. This this will be their 3rd winter outdoors, but I do place a plywood box over them. Last winter, our lowest temp was -7 degrees F and killed the branches to the ground. They all regrew this past summer but harvest was only one or two figs per day; and many days none ripe.

[@PHNursery]

Yes, this will be the ongoing saga with figs outdoors in zone 6. Best to bend down the branches and bury in very thick wood chips in autumn. Or, put in a high tunnel / grow in containers and move indoors in winter.

[@stevetracewell9906]

Thanks so much for your videos! I have only one fig in the ground now. (Petite Negra) It fruited this past summer, and now I cannot wait for more!!! I will be buying some plants from you this spring. I have mostly shade, but one area gets full sun. I may try a few in containers too. I’m in the Atlanta area, and it looks like we have been upgraded to zone 8a from 7b.

[@PHNursery]

Sounds good Steve. Muscadines, figs and maybe even our hardy pomegranates would work for you. Pawpaws and black raspberry can handle some shade.

[@bosquebear1]

Do you espalier your outdoors figs, too?

[@PHNursery]

@@bosquebear1 I do not. It could be done successfully, but I am not willing to protect the outdoor figs much, so there's no point for me. In a warmer climate it would work great.

[@robertpaul50n]

Is a high tunnel just the tunnel or is there some equipment?

[@PHNursery]

Hi, This is a standard high-tunnel type greenhouse. No equipment is used except fans to blow air around. I do have a barrel stove that I utilize to burn wood and keep the tunnel above 18 F or so if the nights are dipping into the single digits or negatives, which does happen a few times each winter here.

[@briancrispano828]

If you’re seeing the white sap, then fig was not ripe. Eat too many of those figs and you’ll have a stomachache.

[@gvv1mhh]

What part of Kentucky are you guys in?

[@PHNursery]

HI we're in the heart of the Bluegrass in the Danville, KY area

[@MrGoatman07]

How do you keep the Hornets off of them ?

[@PHNursery]

We do not encounter that issue on our farm. But, I would suggest picking the figs daily and removing any rotted or infested fruit. This will make the planting less attractive to hornets, ants, etc. Overly ripe fruit attracts fruit flies, ants, and other insects. I often pick the figs about 95% ripe and let them ripen at room temperature indoors for 24 hours.

[@MrGoatman07]

@@PHNursery thank you.

[@janemyfoodandflowers7726]

Would love to hear that cold hardy varieties fruit taste comparison for people have limited space to grow.

[@PHNursery]

If you have limited space, Chicago Hardy, Malta Black, Black Bethlehem, and Florea are all solid choices.

[@janemyfoodandflowers7726]

@@PHNursery Thanks! I have Chicago Hardy and Florea. But Florea have trouble in our zone 6, even with winter protection. :( And its fruit taste is nothing special. I hope Chicago Hardy will be OK to over winter this year! Otherwise I will look for other varieties.