I'm considering planting a fig tree in southwestern Virginia (zone 7B) this year. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time! I'm already aware that I'll need to protect it from deer and rabbits, but I'd love to hear any advice you seasoned fig growers might have on what to do or what to avoid.
5 Answers
Definitely consider getting a cutting from a local tree that thrives in your area, instead of buying from a big box store. Those store-bought ones can be hit or miss since they often use tissue culture methods that don’t always produce well.
I’ve got a Brown Turkey fig in a container and it’s doing great! It’s in its second year now and producing three crops a year. Highly recommend going with that variety if you can!
Check out Millennial Gardener on YouTube—he’s got a ton of great tips for growing figs in both ground and containers. He’s in SE North Carolina, so his advice should be relevant for your humid summers too!
I didn't know about this channel! Thanks a ton, I’ll definitely check it out.
I grew up in Virginia and my parents had a couple of big fig bushes that thrived despite the deer population. They never mentioned any problems with deer eating the figs, so you might be okay if you keep an eye on them!
That’s reassuring! With so many deer around, I’ll protect them for the first year just in case.
I'm in the same zone, and I’ve had good luck with my fig tree! In my first year, I didn't cover it over the winter and it struggled. But after covering it with burlap and frost cloth the next year, it came back strong with tons of fruit! I haven’t had deer issues either; it seems they’re deterred by the smell of the leaves. Just be sure to give it some protection during winter!
Thanks for the tip! I'm also torn between the Brown Turkey and Chicago varieties.