Jigfig
Well-known member
Th
Thank you. It was well worth it.
A contest, well sort of, I really want to hear your fig story.
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GilaMonster
Well-known member
Rock on man, good for you.
betdempster
Well-known member
I don't have an exciting story. I moved to San Antonio with my husband from Philly and with the long growing season I had visions of tomato harvests but had no idea how to grow them here. About the time my tomatoes would start to bloom and put on little tomatoes here would come the heat. It would be at or above 100 degrees with no rain for 3 months ... I tried for 3 years in a row but they shriveled and died. The thought of a fourth year where my plants all died was so horrible and I didn't even try. Out of despair I went to a nursery and asked if there was anything that would survive in the heat and sun and rocky clay. I had to choose between a cactus and a fig. I had never had a fig dry or fresh- I just wanted something with leaves and I didn't even think about fruit. I got 15 figs the first year and this year over a hundred so far. And if it stays warm enough there's close to 50 more that might ripen still on my second year tree that thanks to my I didn't think I would like them but imagine my surprise! So I have around 20 in pots now and probably 20 cuttings so far ... And I'm hooked 
TorontoJoe
Administrator
I am in no way eligible for any contest.... I'm just so moved by all the posts here. I could go on about how figs remind me of my childhood and Italy and tradition and time with my father... but right now all I can think of is how grateful I am to be here in the company of such great people. I guess my story is more about this real community, and the friendships based on the love of this ridiculously addictive plant.
All of you are so awesome!
All of you are so awesome!
TorontoJoe
Administrator
I don't have an exciting story. I moved to San Antonio with my husband from Philly and with the long growing season I had visions of tomato harvests but had no idea how to grow them here. About the time my tomatoes would start to bloom and put on little tomatoes here would come the heat. It would be at or above 100 degrees with no rain for 3 months ... I tried for 3 years in a row but they shriveled and died. The thought of a fourth year where my plants all died was so horrible and I didn't even try. Out of despair I went to a nursery and asked if there was anything that would survive in the heat and sun and rocky clay. I had to choose between a cactus and a fig. I had never had a fig dry or fresh- I just wanted something with leaves and I didn't even think about fruit. I got 15 figs the first year and this year over a hundred so far. And if it stays warm enough there's close to 50 more that might ripen still on my second year tree that thanks to my I didn't think I would like them but imagine my surprise! So I have around 20 in pots now and probably 20 cuttings so far ... And I'm hooked
Have grown tomatoes in the south of Italy. You need shade cloth. It's a game changer. You can and will need to add water. But 30-50% shade cloth in a dry environment with proper soil management.... you'll be growing like you're in San Marzano.
At Rocca near Palermo, we grow tomatoes under other fruit trees.... Not olive but under stone fruit or Mulberry
ChicagoFigs
Active member
It all started on a cold February evening while going through the local grocery store I stumbled upon a sale section that had various tree selections in various stages of dormancy on display.
Up until this point as a avid gardner I had grown the usual tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. However I saw something that caught my eye. A neatly packaged Chicago Hardy fig tree in dormancy calling out my name.
I took it home and eagerly planted indoors in a giant container while doubting myself the viability of this whether is there hope of a fig tree growing and producing figs in Chicagoland or is this pure madness.
After doing a lot of research and a nice summer the tree rewarded all the effort by producing 70+ figs in first year, a major success beyond my wildest imagination.
Chicago Hardy became my gateway fig lol.
Pictured my first ever Chicago Hardy fig tree year 1 growth. Note the Pepsi can for size reference
Up until this point as a avid gardner I had grown the usual tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. However I saw something that caught my eye. A neatly packaged Chicago Hardy fig tree in dormancy calling out my name.
I took it home and eagerly planted indoors in a giant container while doubting myself the viability of this whether is there hope of a fig tree growing and producing figs in Chicagoland or is this pure madness.
After doing a lot of research and a nice summer the tree rewarded all the effort by producing 70+ figs in first year, a major success beyond my wildest imagination.
Chicago Hardy became my gateway fig lol.
Pictured my first ever Chicago Hardy fig tree year 1 growth. Note the Pepsi can for size reference
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Kompakfigs
Well-known member
It is productive, vigorous and affordable. In a blind taste test, a well ripen and dry BT might stand up with the top tiered varieties. I know it’s fig season when Im eating BT figs off the tree.
Quite simple, my grandmother on my mothers side was a big canner and baker to the point I didn't realize other people didn't live the same way? Everyone in the family were really good cooks. So, one of my favorite cookies were fig newtons, so that's what she made me, they were soooo good! I still remember seeing my first fig, a black fig cut open and the beauty of it! Nothing like a fresh fig.
My first house was in a Portuguese dominated area, so there were fig tree's all up and down the block. I was spoiled and not in gardening at that time being in my mid 20's (other interests), why grow figs if others would just give them to ya? But after I moved away, and got older, gardening and figs became more important. I love the exotic look of fig tree's, and I'm trying to create a little fig sanctuary just off to the side of my garden, just to sit and relax and enjoy the fresh air with a coffee, a glass of wine or even a beer.
I don't want to get old but man oh man I can't wait to retire lol.
**On a side note my buddy had to take my wife to PennMed in Philly because I couldn't get off on short notice, anyways when they were at my brothers place, my brother was like I was talking to Ray the other day for like two hours and figs dominated the conversation, then my buddy was like wow I talked to Ray the other day too for a couple of hours and it was all about the fig. Then my wife was wait minute, between talking to you two then I know he's talking to Dino then Carl then Chris and who the hell knows who else, when does my husband work? The funny thing is Rob and Dino are fig stalkers themselves.
Well, I'm still counting the days to retirement.
Remember the fig, it's all about the fig. Look to the fig, and that's your answer.
My first house was in a Portuguese dominated area, so there were fig tree's all up and down the block. I was spoiled and not in gardening at that time being in my mid 20's (other interests), why grow figs if others would just give them to ya? But after I moved away, and got older, gardening and figs became more important. I love the exotic look of fig tree's, and I'm trying to create a little fig sanctuary just off to the side of my garden, just to sit and relax and enjoy the fresh air with a coffee, a glass of wine or even a beer.
I don't want to get old but man oh man I can't wait to retire lol.
**On a side note my buddy had to take my wife to PennMed in Philly because I couldn't get off on short notice, anyways when they were at my brothers place, my brother was like I was talking to Ray the other day for like two hours and figs dominated the conversation, then my buddy was like wow I talked to Ray the other day too for a couple of hours and it was all about the fig. Then my wife was wait minute, between talking to you two then I know he's talking to Dino then Carl then Chris and who the hell knows who else, when does my husband work? The funny thing is Rob and Dino are fig stalkers themselves.
Well, I'm still counting the days to retirement.
Remember the fig, it's all about the fig. Look to the fig, and that's your answer.
I find it ironic that you bought a Chicago Hardy in Chicago, in my head I can visualize Hardy Chicago's in just about every Chicago neighborhood lol.
Count me out for the contest but I'll share my story just for fun:
Mines easy, a man in the neighborhood traded me a fig cutting for a peony I no longer wanted since I was converting my landscaping plants to natives the month after I bought my house in 2022. Having only had dried figs until this, I gave it to my mom because she had tried to grow figs a few times as a kid but it always died in the winter. Now as an adult I knew I could look it up and help her protect it, and so I did so. Fast forward to this year, we eat our first figs off the tree, WOW ! A fresh fig is a different world than a dried grocery store fig. I had to get me some.
No idea what she has, i assume a brooklyn purple and white since she has a white and purple fig and those are the popular ones.
Mines easy, a man in the neighborhood traded me a fig cutting for a peony I no longer wanted since I was converting my landscaping plants to natives the month after I bought my house in 2022. Having only had dried figs until this, I gave it to my mom because she had tried to grow figs a few times as a kid but it always died in the winter. Now as an adult I knew I could look it up and help her protect it, and so I did so. Fast forward to this year, we eat our first figs off the tree, WOW ! A fresh fig is a different world than a dried grocery store fig. I had to get me some.
No idea what she has, i assume a brooklyn purple and white since she has a white and purple fig and those are the popular ones.My buddy Gino has tomato plants growing under all his fruit tree's, it's where he puts them when he runs out of room in the main garden.
San Antonio is a great place, spent a lot of time in San Antonio and Austin when I lived in San Marcos, Tx. Oddly enough Philly is packed with fig trees!I don't have an exciting story. I moved to San Antonio with my husband from Philly and with the long growing season I had visions of tomato harvests but had no idea how to grow them here. About the time my tomatoes would start to bloom and put on little tomatoes here would come the heat. It would be at or above 100 degrees with no rain for 3 months ... I tried for 3 years in a row but they shriveled and died. The thought of a fourth year where my plants all died was so horrible and I didn't even try. Out of despair I went to a nursery and asked if there was anything that would survive in the heat and sun and rocky clay. I had to choose between a cactus and a fig. I had never had a fig dry or fresh- I just wanted something with leaves and I didn't even think about fruit. I got 15 figs the first year and this year over a hundred so far. And if it stays warm enough there's close to 50 more that might ripen still on my second year tree that thanks to my I didn't think I would like them but imagine my surprise! So I have around 20 in pots now and probably 20 cuttings so far ... And I'm hooked
Try a shade cloth as @TorontoJoe said...a old white bedsheet propped up on stakes will work--that's what my grandfather would use.
betdempster
Well-known member
I just bought a 50% shade cloth a month ago and next year I'll try again. That was my last idea and it was going to be my last try... Glad to know I was on the right track! I sure hope it works I love tomatoes more than almost anything... But I have a I 258 I'm eyeing so they may be second if that fig works out. Right now I can't imagine better than the alma(?) I have
Kid Fig
Well-known member
My story was I got into figs because of a healthy sense of slight paranoia.
The food shortage scare made me think "what fruits can I grow that don't require cross polinatiin or are self fertile (same thing?) AND can fruit in pots due to my limited space."
Google suggested figs and when I youtubed figs I saw alot of videos about many different named varieties and the colors (the colors) were awesome.
Then I goog'd for fruit and fig growers and ran into a fig site, to which years later I would join the newest fig site FigFanatics.
Other than this no real connection to figs prior besides eating a semi ripe Brown Turkey at a church when I was young - didn't like it, felt gross and looked like raw ground beef.
Pretty much a non story but thought I'd share anyways lol
To Paranoia! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here!
The food shortage scare made me think "what fruits can I grow that don't require cross polinatiin or are self fertile (same thing?) AND can fruit in pots due to my limited space."
Google suggested figs and when I youtubed figs I saw alot of videos about many different named varieties and the colors (the colors) were awesome.
Then I goog'd for fruit and fig growers and ran into a fig site, to which years later I would join the newest fig site FigFanatics.
Other than this no real connection to figs prior besides eating a semi ripe Brown Turkey at a church when I was young - didn't like it, felt gross and looked like raw ground beef.
Pretty much a non story but thought I'd share anyways lol
To Paranoia! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here!
TorontoJoe
Administrator
This is a Google satellite view of San Marzano in Campagnia, Italy... where the real famed tomatoes are grown. You can make out all the rectangular white blocks. Not greenhouses. All shade cloth. This isn't even that far south. In Calabria, near a tree where they're shaded part of the day is a common thing to do. Tomatoes like it hot but that much direct sun is hard on them. A fig can take a lot more direct sun than a tomatoI just bought a 50% shade cloth a month ago and next year I'll try again. That was my last idea and it was going to be my last try... Glad to know I was on the right track! I sure hope it works I love tomatoes more than almost anything... But I have a I 258 I'm eyeing so they may be second if that fig works out. Right now I can't imagine better than the alma(?) I have
DavidNC
Active member
After having a lackluster first year growing tomatoes in NC, when it was fairly straightforward in Ohio, I will need to take this into consideration. Never thought I would have to give a tomato less light.
betdempster
Well-known member
Wow that's amazing!
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Where you are I imagine rain is also part of the problem. It really spreads the disease.
DavidNC
Active member
That, and thirsty birds, were devastating. By August, I just let the hornworms have them. They were hosting parasitoid wasps, so I thought it might be good for the community if I just let them be.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
I’m a perfect world of would be ideal if you could only keep the cloth on for a few hours while the sun is higher I’d imagine would be ideal. So if you were able to plant the tomatoes north south with a narrow row of cover…. The unobstructed sun could still get in during the morning and again in the afternoon when it is weaker
When I root cuttings outside or acclimate seedlings to full sun, I out them somewhere where they get direct morning or late afternoon sun. This is when the sun at an angle passes through more of the atmosphere. It is strong but more of the UV rays are filtered out