I like figs, I admit it, I am a Fig Pig. But what's a girl to do it's a tropical Fruit, So I thought. The Mediterranean and the Middle East are the world top producers of "Figs".
The climate is the ideal temperature for that Fig tree. However, you can grow a "Fig Tree" in Canada, and even right here in Ontario.
A gentleman by the name of "Steven Biggs" and his 7 year old daughter, live in Willowdale, Ontario and have over 30 black pots, full of Fig trees. He states that the "fig plant is a very very forgiving plant" Now many of you may have tasted the dried fig fruit, but oh man, the taste of a fresh fig, is heaven. It is like the taste of a sweet jam.
You see Fig's actually prefer to go dormant over the colder months. Fig plants should be sheltered from the snow and the elements, such as extreme temperatures. Most who grow Figs in Canada, simply bring them indoors, to a cool dry place, that does not necessarily have to be, hot and warm, but not
There are several nurseries that sell potted Fig Plants, that will withstand our climate. You just have to transfer them into a larger black recycled plastic pots, about 36 centimetres in diameter. Then I sink the pots 5 centimetres into the ground. It is also suggested that it is vital to keep the pots well watered. A good indication that they are not getting enough water are the droopy leaves.
The Fig Plant does not take to kindly to coming indoors over the winter to a location that’s too warm. So do not store their pots, over the winter in a heated basement or a warm living room or greenhouse. They should be hauled into a dark, unheated shed. Ideally, you want the temperature to be between 7 C. and -3 C. Now if space is limited or just not available to store them indoors, there is another option that will work well too. Bury them. Dig a trench on one side of the pot, tip it sideways, shove the branches in the hole and cover with soil and a mulch of leaves.
Steven Biggs has written a book all about growing Fig's in Ontario and colder climates. It is called " Grow Figs Where You Think You Can’t" I encourage all you "Fig Pigs" out there to find a copy and give it a read.
Happy "Fig" Trails my friends
Image Source:
https://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/fig-trees
https://www.thestar.com/life/2012/07/27/yes_you_can_grow_figs_in_ontario_and_its_not_that_hard.html
I LOVE figs! Thanks for the info! I’ll have to check this out. 🙂
Go for it. The more figs on this planet the better
I have never had a fig, not to say I haven't been curious. I may have to buy some and try them now after reading this post.
I feel as though I am missing out on something REAL good.
Oh c'mon my friend, you know you wanna, and if you become a "Fig Pig" like me, we won't judge. LOL
great post! That's so awesome that amazing people use their talents wisely for useful causes. Super cool that this is going on in Canada! Upvoted!
Thank you
That's great to know. I've been figuring out which fruit trees to plant on the property. I didn't even think of fig trees in this climate, figs would nice.. Thanks for the post!
Figs, so much nutritional value and taste too that they've got! Thank you so much for sharing this. I like the fact that mobile pots can do it! Just like the innovations in agriculture that I see in an Institute of Agric here over in Africa.. Snapped close to some of their 'screen houses'..
https://steemit.com/youthofsteemit/@yowanetwork/the-youth-of-steeemit
I will read more about how much we can work that around here in my country. Thanks again
It's my first time seeing this plant!, so do they sell fig jams in the market? i wonder what it taste like..hmmm...........
Gotta google it
No Fig Jams that I have seen. or at least it is not popular. Figs are used in Cookies and such, or just eat them whole like a fruit.
I love figs. . it took me a few years to finally find them in a store being sold fresh. Those things do not keep long, and they're almost a dollar each, so you have to eat the entire box that day!
I always remember hearing "Figs are inside out flowers", the truth is as follows:
"Although commonly referred to as a fruit, the fig is actually the infructescence or scion of the tree, known as a false fruit or multiple fruit, in which the flowers and seeds are borne. It is a hollow-ended stem containing many flowers. The small orifice (ostiole) visible on the middle of the fruit is a narrow passage, which allows the specialized fig wasp Blastophaga psenes to enter the fruit and pollinate the flower. . ."
I'll follow any Canadian, especially one who grows figs! I once had a fig tree that grew outside in the ground and lasted fine in the Winters of Ontario, so maybe give me a follow too ; )
really outside in winter, in Ontario. Wow...I would have thought so, but who knew.
I also love figs. I eat them in sallad:-) I never thought about the possibility to grow them in pots, so they can be carried inside during winter.
Yes you can....give it a go my friend.
Oh this is just the post i needed! We have a fig tree that dies back every year and only gets to make budding fruit but they dont have enough time to ripen before the first frost. putting it in a pot might be the missing link. I think we could bring it into our basement every winter where it is cold and dark. thanks for this! newbie homesteader and minnow here!
MMM. Now bring me some figgy pudding and bring it right here! I LOVE fresh figs. We were growing a few "Chicago Hardy" figs here in zone 5, but alas we failed to protect them one winter and they are now gone...
We have had some come back up from the ground in the past though.
Oh I will definitely be checking out this Bigg's Fig book. It's time to give it another shot.
Someone gave me a tip once. For those of us with shorter growing seasons pinch the fig's fresh growth back a tiny bit so they will set the amount of fruit that they have time to ripen, vs. the plants putting so much energy into covering themselves in green figs that wont ripen before the cold weather...
Awesome post! I am getting so excited for the warmth to come back and getting to plant!
Am also a huge fan of figs (both fresh and dried)! Really interesting that you're growing them at home. Would've loved to seen pictures of how you're keeping them. Thanks for the post!
Oh how i love dried figs! I wish i have the chance to try fresh figs too! Its hars to find it in Malaysia. So awesome to see the real fig plant from your photos! Thanks for sharing @gardengirlcanada 😄