Yes Figs Grow Around Fort Smith!

Purpose

Work closely with the River Valley Master Gardeners on a five-to-ten year Fig growing trial to determine what varieties are suitable for our climate gardening zone. We are seeking information on local Fig trees which have survived multiple years either with or without winter protection.

Document and show as many growing Fig trees in our area as possible so people will know what varieties to choose from when they search about Figs and possibly want to grow them, in and around Fort Smith.

Most people think about California or perhaps farther South and into Florida when growing Figs comes to mind but in truth, we can grow just about any variety of Fig as can be grown anywhere, depending on how much effort we want to put into it, to ensure survival of the tree(s).

There are many varieties of Fig, some considered more "cold hardy" than others and so, more suitable to growing here if we simply want to plant them out in the yard as we might any other fruit tree suitable for our climate, while others will require protection of some sort during our cold winters that will kill most fig varieties.

Ok Charlie, what Fig varieties can I grow in and around Fort Smith? If it is listed in the right column blog archive below, then it is a good variety choice. More will be continually added as they are found locally or resulting from the Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing Fig Trial.

We can grow even the pickiest of Fig if we want to have them in containers we can move into a garage or other suitable enclosure during the winter to protect them from killing temperatures and others may suffice in a greenhouse but these are not really the ones we want to focus on in this blog. Most people simply want to plant a tree and not go to a whole lot of effort.

It is advised that any Fig variety grown here be given some protection during Winter while young and until they are well established with woody bark. Even then there are no guarantees they will survive. Our purpose here is to help you decide which are the best choices according to known survivors in our area.

Variety topics are always in the Blog Archive.


Friday, September 25, 2015

Gino's Black and Marseilles Black VS Fig, In Ground, Lowell AR

Lowell is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, in the United States. Located within the Ozarks, a bit cooler than the Fort Smith area and so a good testament to these two Fig varieties, submitted by Greg L.
"The MBVS is the taller one.  It is 1.5 yrs older and has trunks of about 5" . One more year of wrapping and I will try not wrapping and see what happens.

Both give large main crops and smaller breba crops.  Great flavor and make GREAT jam! (Very pretty jam as well with the red color, see pic)

They are on the south side of the house and I wrap with blankets and a tarp for winter after trimming them to manageable sizes.  I am currently doing several air layers on the MBVS that need to be cut off cut I have not had the time.
 
The MBVS is a VERY vigorous grower for me and easy to air layer.
 
I just this year (and are very small yet) put in the ground RDB. Bayenfiege (sp?) violetta, black German, Danny's delight (the dark one), Hollier, and sweet George.   Will protect and report how they did on the forums for the first 3-4 years."

MBVS  

Gino's Black




Also notice there is roof guttering installed, a good thing so the trees aren't flooded with rain from the roof.  Directly beneath a roof drip line is not favorable for Fig trees, especially very young ones and doubly if there is not ground with good drainage as soggy ground will rot tender Fig roots.

Areas with poor drainage, high water table during Winter or otherwise rainy season can spell disaster for Fig trees.  My own yard is a perfect example and I nearly killed my first Fig tree by promptly setting it in the ground when it arrived.  Our home is situated on the base of a hill and we have a very high water table during wet weather.  

If not for the experts on the fig forums giving me advice to raise it up quickly, it surely would have died.  My original thought was it should get plenty of water in my yard!  

Others in the deep South of Louisiana have commented on their large Fig tree roots setting in water much of the year.  Apparently it is less of an issue with older, well established trees.  I opt to lean on the side of caution and plant any in-ground trees on a raised area and compensate with having to water during dry season as needed versus them drowning before they get established.

Greg's Fig Jam
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