North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Fruth" <jfruth@tds.net>]

   I have grown Hardy Chicago Fig here in zone 3b, North Central Minnesota. 
I planted them next to the septic tank so the roots wouldn't freeze.  I 
don't know if they needed the extra protection because I grow zone 5 
Hibiscus (H. moscheutos) with only heaped up mulch for winter protection. 
Anyway, the fig always put on lots of fruit that never ripened.  Then I 
tried it in a pot, and when I brought it into the greenhouse to finish 
ripening, it went into shock, dropping all of its leaves.  End of 
experiment; no more fig growing.

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
www.bberryfarm.com
(218)568-8483 [Store]
(218)831-7018 [My Cell]

Speaking of figs,... I noticed the Brown Turkey Fig in the Stark Bro's
catalog, where it loudly proclaims, "Grow figs as far north as Zone 5!"
After a web search that included the NAFEX Fig Page, I see that this fig
can crop on new growth after the tops are winter-killed. Would that
really be practical - well, not exactly practical, I'm sure, but...
possible - here?

I'm in Zone 5a (AHS Heat Zone 7), and it got below zero several times
this winter (twice to -8, I believe). Could I still grow this fig if I
mulch it heavily with straw for the winter (expecting that the top would
die back each year, but it would re-sprout from the roots)? If so, how
should I manage that? Cut it off at ground level in late winter, or just
wait and see what happens? And how big should I expect it to get each
year (i.e. how much room would it need - the absolute minimum)? It would
probably sprout in bush form, wouldn't it? So I'm guessing it wouldn't
take much room (always an advantage). Any other tips? I'm thinking about
planting one in the spring of 2008, if it looks feasible.

OK, I realize it's probably weird to think of planting a fig in
Nebraska, but that's part of the attraction. And the fact is, I've been
planting so many fruit trees and bushes in my yard that I'll never be
able to eat all of it, anyway. So I don't mind experimenting with
something like this, unless it's completely ridiculous. If it doesn't
work, that won't be a big problem.

Also,... this brings back my youth. Many years ago, I spent a couple of
weeks in September camped on a Greek island next to some abandoned fig
trees. They were loaded with ripe figs and with figs that had completely
dried on the tree, and with figs at all stages in between. All were
delicious! (I'd never eaten a ripe fig before.) I certainly never
expected to grow figs in Nebraska, but this catalog entry really caught
my attention! Please tell me it's possible. :-)

Incidentally, it's not practical for me to bring a potted tree inside
for the winter, so that option is out. My house is too small and so is
the garage (not to mention that it's an old, detached garage which
wouldn't be much shelter).

Bill
Lincoln, NE (cold zone 5a, heat zone 7)