Growing Figs in Cold Climates - A Complete Guide

Grow sweet, fresh figs in climates previously considered impossible using proven protection and variety selection techniques. Complete guide to extending fig cultivation into zones 6-8 through winter protection, container growing, and cold-hardy variety selection.

Why Cold-Climate Fig Growing Is Now Possible:

New varieties and protection techniques enable fig cultivation far beyond traditional Mediterranean climates. These methods have been tested in locations with winter temperatures down to -10°F.

What You'll Master:

• Variety selection for maximum cold tolerance without sacrificing fruit quality


• Winter protection techniques that ensure survival in harsh climates


• Container growing systems for mobility and climate control


• Seasonal care including pruning, fertilizing, and harvest optimization


• Propagation methods for expanding collections and sharing with other growers

Cold-Climate Success Stories:

Growers in zones 6-7 report successful harvests of 20-50 pounds per tree annually using these protection methods, with fruit quality matching warm-climate production.

Enjoy Mediterranean flavors in northern gardens. Essential for fruit enthusiasts wanting to expand growing possibilities beyond traditional climate limitations.

List of contents

Introduction: Native home and reasons for widespread appeal

Chapter 1:

Why you can grow figs even in cold climates

Fruit bearing habit

The fig tree

Chapter 2: Pruning: very important!

Chapter 3:

Five methods for growing figs in cold climates

But first: How to care for the soil and nourish your figs

Method #1: Grow in a container

Method #2: Plant in ground each spring, dig up each fall

Method #3: Swaddle stems

Method #4: Lay down or bury stems

Method #5: In ground, in cool or unheated greenhouse or hoop house

Chapter 4: What kind of cold do you have?

Chapter 5: Some varieties for cold climates?

Chapter 6: Matching methods and varieties to kinds of cold climates

Chapter 7: Pests

Chapter 8: Harvest & preservation

Chapter 9: Future directions

Further information

Index

About the Author

A Note About the Publisher

About the author

Lee Reich, PhD, dove into gardening decades ago, initially with one foot in academia as an agricultural scientist with the USDA and then Cornell University, and one foot in the field, the organic field. He eventually expanded his field to a "farmden" (more than a garden, less than a farm) and left academia to lecture, consult, and write. He is author of many books, including The Ever Curious Gardener, Weedless Gardening, The Pruning Book, and Landscaping with Fruit, as well as a syndicated column for Associated Press. Lee has a PhD in Horticulture from the University of Maryland, and an MS in Soil Science and a BA in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin. He blogs at leereich.com from his farmden in New Paltz, NY.

Summary

From Minnesota to Moscow — how to grow fresh figs in cold climates
Growing Figs in Cold Climates is a complete, full-color, illustrated guide to organic methods for growing delicious figs in cold climates, well outside the traditional hot, arid home of this ancient fruiting tree. Coverage includes:

• Five methods for growing figs in cold climates including overwintering
• Cultivar selection for cool and cold climates
• Pruning techniques for a variety of methods of growing figs in cold climates
• Pest problems and solutions
• Harvesting, including ways to speed ripening, identify ripe fruit, and manage an overabundance
• Small-scale commercial fig production in cold climates.

Fresh figs are juicy, full-bodied, and filled with a honey-sweet flavor, and because truly ripe figs are highly perishable, they are only available to those who grow their own.
By choosing the right cultivars and techniques, figs can be grown across cool and cold growing zones of North America, Europe, and beyond, putting them within reach of almost every gardener. Easy and delicious — if you can grow a houseplant, you can grow a fig.

Foreword

• Co-op available
• Digital galleys on Edelweiss and sent to trade and long-lead publications
• National advertising
  • Amazon, Google, Facebook, Mother Earth News, Harrowsmith, Hobby Farm
• National print campaign
  • Harrowsmith, Mother Earth News, Hobby Farm, Growing for Market, The Fruit Gardener
• National podcast campaign
• Online/social media outreach:
  • Amazon A+ page
  • Livestream event and giveaway with author
  • Outreach to fruit growers, horticultural societies, master gardeners, botanical gardens
  • Promotion via author's networks including his blog, workshops, lectures, and social accounts
  • Promotion on New Society Publishers social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, our blog, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube
• General eBook marketing plan:
  • eBook will be available at the same time as print publication to maximize sales
  • eBook ISBN will be included on all press materials, author and publisher websites, and whenever print ISBN is listed
  • publisher and author will be promoting both e and p through social media
• Excerpts in
  • Mother Earth News, Hobby Farm, Fine Gardening, Harrowsmith, Fruit Gardener
• Promotion through the author's website: www.leereich.com

Product details

• Authors: Lee Reich
• Publisher: New society publishing
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 05.10.2021
• EAN: 9780865719576
• ISBN: 978-0-86571-957-6
• No. of pages: 128
• Subjects: Guides > Nature > Nature guide; Non-fiction book > Nature, technology > Nature: general, reference works; Gardening, GARDENING / Trees, NATURE / Plants / Trees, GARDENING / Climatic / Temperate, Trees, wildflowers & plants, Trees, wildflowers & plants: general interest, Food & Gardening, Gardening: shrubs & trees, Gardening: trees & shrubs