Thursday, June 29, 2017

My Plant Journal: Figs

Olympian Fig plants on Amazon
Last week, at The Shack, I planted several trees and shrubs. One of those plants was a Fig. I am not familiar with Figs (other than the famous dancing Fig in the cookie commercials) and I am not an organized gardener. Due to those two things, I am recording the beginning of my Fig adventure here.


Why Figs?


I decided to plant a Fig for the simple reason that a friend loves the fruit and swears that I'll enjoy having the fresh figs. Recently, every time I follow recommendations about fruit (i.e. PawPaws) I have been thrilled with what has been recommended. Also, I want to plant a large variety of fruit on my land.  During this camping trip to The Shack, I was already planning on planting PawPaws, a Persimmon, and a Japanese Maple. I had plenty of room to plant other plants, so I grabbed up a little Fig plant at a local big box, home and garden store.

After all, there is no harm in giving Figs a try. My planting technique up there is a little bit like throwing one of each and seeing what sticks.


Olympian Fig Information


I had no idea there were so many varieties of Fig. Fortunately, what I blindly chose was an Olympian Fig. Now that I've studied a bit more about Fig varieties, I am pleased that I have the Olympian variety. If that goes well, I'd like to add a few other varieties just for fun. But for now, the Olympian Fig seems to be a good variety for my place in West Virginia for these reasons:

  • grows in a small, dwarf, habit
  • grows 4-8 feet
  • hardy to zone 6
  • self-pollinator (I don't need a second plant for pollination)
  • like PawPaws, Fig plants are reportedly deer resistant


My Olympian Fig


Since the Fig variety I chose is a dwarf variety, I planted it in what is to be my "flower bed".  Flower bed is stretching it - a very kind and gentle way to describe this area of my yard.

My land is steep and rocky land on a ridge in West Virginia. So far my "gardening" requires the use of a pickaxe. I apologize that the quality of lighting in this photo isn't the best. I had taken this photo while I was working at my plantings and headed back home to my apartment before taking a better photo.



I planted the Fig in this area - between the lilac bush and the rose bush. And I placed the little garden flag very close to the Fig. While some plants are listed as "deer resistant", we all know that deer really seem to find any leaf a delicious appetizer. I am hoping the fluttering of the flag will help keep the deer away.

What will I do with the figs - if I am successful at growing them? I will find ways to prepare them and I will share them with people who love them. As I do my research, I am finding that there are many people who enjoy eating them.



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8 comments:

  1. I love figs. I think you made a wise choice in what you are plating. The wildlife will love you.

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    1. Thank you for your supportive comments. And yes, I think the wildlife will definitely be pleased with more fruit on the land.

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  2. I'm trying to think of a good place to put a fig plant/tree in our yard. Love the idea of having one. My husband loves figs and I'm pretty sure that they do grow well around here. Ah, I'm picturing a spot off the end of the front porch that might be perfect. You're inspiring me, Dawn Rae!

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    1. I've seen some folks who keep the figs in containers. That may be an option also. If you grow a fig, please let me know how it goes.

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  3. When we brought our first house it had a massive fig tree out the front of the property - we didn't realize what it was at first and so the birds got to all the figs before we could!
    I should look at a dwarf variety in this house because I do like figs, I look forward to seeing how yours grows.

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  4. How lucky for you that everything worked out as it should. I have never grown figs but do like them. I wish you every success and hope the deers leave your trees alone. I'm looking forward to updates.....

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  5. In spite of the fact that the Fig Newton is my all time favorite cookie, I have never planted a fig plant, nor have I even tried eating just the fig. I can hardly wait to see if you like it! Nothing like discovering a new fruit to add to our diets.

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  6. Wishing you success with your fig plant at the shack, and all your plantings to date. You are getting a good start to cultivating your land for edible fruits & vegetables. I look forward to future reports of your gardening on a mountain ridge! Excellent that you are keeping a gardening journal to follow your progress.

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