Signs of life in zone 5

[zone5figger]

While those more climactic-ly suited are now watching inground plants' maincrop fruit form and brebas swelling, I am quite pleased to report my 5 inground plants simply survived and are all showing signs of budding out at the base. These made it through what was a mild winter until -17F cold snap in Feb, protected by 6" or so of wood chips.
I know I can do a more thorough job sheltering them this winter, and also plan to plant a few more, expanding varieties past the mt Etna types I have now. Quite a few volunteers to choose from in my 'can garden'- Malta Black, RDB, Florea, various BTs, etc. After I plant them out, I will try training them at an angle so that they are easily bent/buried over for winter.
My winter was simplified by not rooting until early spring, I think these starts will be happier not depending on my care for months indoors, and the plants aren't too far behind ones that I got going in Jan last season.

[figgrower]

You have some great figs there. Congratulations on your success. Wishing you fruitfulness in the coming year.

[cjmach1973]

It seems like we won't have to shuffle again here.(Central mass zone 5) My figs look pretty much like yours. I did bury two of them, we will see if that was worth it I also plan next fall to make a hoop house over two Chicago Hardy to see how that might work. They were wrapped with burlap, wood shavings, and plastic last winter. We hit -18, and the y survived to two feet above ground with that treatment.

[zone5figger]

That's great yours survived 2' up...mine, 2". Maybe I can get some tips from you this fall.

[COGardener]

That is great, it gives me hope for some inground trees.

[jmaler]

You guys are doing good. Stay with it.

[Jamie0507]

Amazing work Jesse and Art! You two both inspired me to try a few of mine in ground this year as well. I'm in zone 6a (eastern PA), so just a wee bit warmer than where you both are, but my house is up on a hill in a new development (so no mature trees to help break the wind anywhere). I suspect I may be in more of a zone 5b due to that reason.. So I'll be following you both closely as you lead the way for us zone pushing fig lovers! 👍👍👍👍

[cjmach1973]

My first trials have been with Hardy Chicago. I have 4 in-ground, and still alive. I put a Green Ischia in the ground about a week ago, and I'm probably going to try at least two or three more types. Just as long as I have potted cuttings for back-up.

[fitzski]

My inground fig is showing signs of life as well. I'll post a picture when I get a chance to take a picture.

It survived to the top of the dirt when I buried it vertically last fall. It's the second year with similar results.

Here's how I did. It worked for me.

https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-home/51724-winterizing-my-in-ground-fig

[zone5figger]

Glad to heat things are greening up for you too, Kevin. Your protection plan looks like it must do the job!

[fitzski]

Jesse,

Here are some pictures of my in-ground fig I took the other day.

I'm hoping to plant a couple more in-ground this year. It will be interesting to see how other varieties do with my winterization method.

[zone5figger]

Very nice, my friend!

[cjmach1973]

Jesse,
What varieties did you have in-ground?
Art

[zone5figger]

MBVS, Sal's EL, couple un ID'ed Mt Etnas indirectly from Kerry(drivewayfarmer.)
I will be adding another round of plants inground in the next couple weeks, another ten or so, with backups in pots.

[cjmach1973]

Always good to have the backups. Besides the ones on my signature, I also have Olympia, and Brown Turkey. They were so small at the end of the growing season, that I cut the bottom out of 10 gallon pots, put them arounf the plants, and filled them with soil once the leaves fell off. I checked the tiny stems Friday, and they survived at the soil level. I think the next one going in-ground will be Florea, and then Danny's Delight, if the cuttings make it.

[zone5figger]

We are on the same page- I also look to add Florea, Niagara Black, Rdb, Stella, and assorted other mt. etnas to my inground fig grove. I also plan on trying DK 8n a special spot where I will try to protect for brebas ala Adriano. I promise to give them better protection this winter!!

[zone5figger]

I took the plunge, and with the help of my son planted 12 more fig trees in-ground in a sunny but exposed location in my yard. 2 wheelbarrows of material- loam, compost, woodchips were added into or around each planting hole to make a raised area that I hope will provide drainage and insulation come winter. We added Dark Portuguese, Osborne Prolific, RDB, Stella, Improved Celeste, Malta Black, Gino's, Atillio Purple, Florea, HC, Yellow Greek unk., Niagara Black. Most are 2nd year plants, installed on an angle to make bending them flat for winter protection easier.

[zone5figger]

I tried to focus on early maincrop varieties, some long shots in there as well just for fun.

[lilfiggy]

what a great job you guys are doing and the challenges you have growing figs. I learn more and more every day. Makes me thankful that I don't have to go thru winter protection.

[zone5figger]

Fig fever symptoms includes masochistic optomism, causing persistance of the illness northern climates.

[zone5figger]

Angled planting, do not adjust your screen😉

[Taverna78]

All trees alive and awake here now. Still only small fico but is more than last year! Maybe I even get a chance to try as long luck is good

[zone5figger]

Best of luck to you this season, amico!

[cjmach1973]

Some of late spring's growth

[zone5figger]

Thanks for showing those, Art, they look great. I hope you get a nice bowlful of ripe Madeiras!

[zone5figger]

My inground plants have put on about 2' or so of growth, I have limited the number of shoots to 4 or less. In late June I pinched one shoot on each plant after 5 leaves to see what the effect would be, and it has worked to push out a figlet or two on each pinched shoot. Time will tell if these will make it to ripeness....
The 11 plants I added to my inground plantings were also pinched, and most are pushing out figs as well with the exemptions of Yellow Greek unk, Florea, Stella, Niagara Black.
Sal's EL, Gino's, Malta Black, Improved Celeste seem the most productive with figlets at almost each node.

[fitzski]

Looks good, Jesse.

My gino's and malta black have figlets on most nodes too.

[zone5figger]

Updated shots of in-ground trees, potted fig ghetto.
MBVS which died back to the ground level now has four shoots 4-6' tall, set figs in early summer which have not ripened yet.
A few which were planted out this spring have some ripening fruit, Improved Celeste has given us a few already.
Most all my containerized plants were set into the ground in their pots, this has helped reduce watering stress on me and them!
Next year I will try to give them an early start, our last frost date of mid May is too late for some of my varieties to produce fruit.
I have hopes to sample a few more before Oct, then the fun of winter protection and storage!
Thanks for looking.

[zone5figger]

T- That last frost date is based on the past couple years, the general rule is after Memorial Day is 'safe.'
Don- I usually have to water daily, but only once😀

[GregMartin]

My in ground pots never have to be watered. Having said that they are planted in an area with a relatively high water table. I put 32 1" holes in the bucket sides (none in the bottom), plant it in ground and mulch over the top of the buckets. The roots travel out into the ground and fend for themselves. In the fall they get a root pruning when I sever the roots to lift the buckets.

[GregMartin]

Super nice results Jesse. Thank you for the updates.

[fitzski]

Nice pictures, Jesse. How old were your figs before you planted them inground?

In addition to my Hardy Chicago, I'm thinking of planting an MBVS, Malta Black, RDB and maybe a Takoma Violet and/or a Gino's Black.

Most are in their 2nd leaf and I was thinking one more year in pots before planting them inground. Of course, i'd make a backup first.

[fitzski]

thanks, jesse. Just wanted to make sure my plan was aligned with others experience.

[don_sanders]

You really like the Mt Etna dark berry figs, huh?

[fitzski]

Yes, Don i do like the Mt Etna dark berry figs. So far, the ones I've tasted (MBVS, Gino's Black and Hardy Chicago) all taste the same or similar.

I also have an Italian Honey, Atreano and Condaria that I like but they also produce brebas which will never survive in ground so they will remain in pots.

[AscPete]

Thanks for sharing the updates.

Did you also "pinch" / remove the new developing buds on the limbs that were pinched to induce figs?
In shorter growing seasons the new buds also have to be removed to speed fig development. Thanks.

My last frost is early June, and there has always been heavy frost in late May except for this year. A hoop houses for the figs to get them off to earlier starts may be in my future.

[AscPete]

Jesse,
Thanks for the reply.

[AscPete]

Tony,
I plan on using the hoop house / low tunnel only to extend the season at both ends. The trees will still be stored in an insulated unheated space.

BTW, I've built hoop houses similar to this,

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/postharv/green/small_greenhouse.pdf

Using inexpensive grey UV stabilized PVC Electrical Conduit (with swaged ends), without the "cross" fittings for the mid-rib which was connected with black nylon tie-wraps to the ribs. The ground anchors were 18" lengths of 1/2 inch rebar at 4 ft intervals instead of the 4 x 4's. Its covered in 6 mil construction grade plastic.

Some additional plans are info, http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects.../sunspaces.htm

[Fygmalion]

Thanks, Pete! Still looking at options while hoping to avoid analysis paralysis... Was just looking at: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Greenhouse-l...3D322259517991

Only issue is that the gauge of their "lite" steel material is .7mm which seems very thin to me...

[zone5figger]

Picked a pair, first RDB was very good.