The fig is a warm climate plant and normally does not do very well in the cold-winter areas of the world. However, I know many gardeners that have been growing them in places where the winter are definitely cold, such as Maryland, with great success. Not only do the trees survive the winter cold, the fig trees produce fairly consistent crops of luscious fruit each summer. So why not grow figs!

Growing Figs

The following varieties have done reasonably well in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the country, mainly by planting them in sheltered locations and providing them extra protection from frigid winds during the winter months. Figs also need plenty of sun, if you are to have good fruit. Therefore, you should choose a really sunny location, which gets at least half-day of direct sun (6 hours+), but preferably more. The south or southwest side of the house would be great spot. Besides finding a good location, the other important task is to protect the branches of the tree from freeze damage in the winter. This you can do by either wrapping the branches with burlap or other insulating materials that can breathe, or build an enclosure around the tree using tall wooden stakes with burlap cloth wrapped around them forming a columnar tent without a top. Fill the enclosure loosely all around the dormant fig tree with dead leaves, which will trap and hold air for added insulation. Is all this work worth it? If you have never eaten a fresh, ripe fig, you are really missing one of the great fruit tastes of the world.

Recommended Fig Varieties for Maryland

Black Mission: large black fig with a light strawberry-colored flesh. A California-grown variety it has a distinctively rich flavor and is known for its high sugar content. Vigorous grower, but may need wind protection in cold-winter areas. Good eaten fresh, but more well-known as the dried figs from California in holiday dried fruit samplers. The variety was originally brought to California by the Spanish padres, who planted these trees around the early California missions. It is also known as California Black or Franciscan.

Brown Turkey: large size fruit, light-brown to purple skin with a strawberry colored flesh. It is believed to be more cold-hardy than most other varieties. Fruits appear on new growth even if branches are winter killed. Appears to do well in many parts of the world and adapts well to the Mid-Atlantic region. Often bears two crops a year where fall temperatures are mild. The fruit is very sweet. Good fresh or as preserves. It is also known as Eastern Brown Turkey, English Brown Turkey, Everbearing, La Perpetuelle, Lee’s Perpetual and Texas Ever bearing.

Celeste: small to medium size fruit, a light brown to violet purple skin with strawberry colored flesh. It is considered by most fig growers as the most cold-hardy of fig varieties. It is especially sweet, has a rich, honey-like flavor. Excellent fresh, dried or preserved. Celeste is well-adapted to the Eastern United States, particularly to the Mid-Atlantic and South. Celeste is also known as Blue Celeste, Celestial, Conant, Honey Fig, Sugar Fig and Tennessee Mountain Fig.

Royal Vineyard: this fig variety derives its name from the royal vineyard of Great Britain, where it was first grown. The tree produces large amber to medium bronze-skinned fruit with light strawberry-colored flesh. It produces only one crop per growing season, that being on the breba or spring crop on the previous year’s growth.

Strawberry Verte: small-fruit fig, brilliant green skin with deep maroon- colored flesh. It is known for its wonderfully sweet-flavored fruit. Excellent when eaten fresh, attractive when served in salads, with cheeses, melons or other fresh fruit. The tree is considered small for a fig tree. Strawberry Verte appears to be fairly hardy in the Mid-Atlantic region if planted in a location that is protected from very cold winter winds.

Violette de Bordeaux: large, black-skinned fruit with deep strawberry red flesh. The flesh has a distinctly pleasing acidic taste. The fruit is excellent eaten fresh or dried. It is a dwarf tree and is well-suited for the small garden. It has adapted well to the South and Southwest US, but needs winter cold protection. It is also known as Beer’s Black, Negronne, Bordeaux, and Petite Figue Violette.

Fig FAQs

Q: If I don’t insulate the fig tree for winter, will a hard freeze kill the tree?
A:  That is likely, although figs roots may survive if they are insulated by layers of mulch. Although new growth emerges from these roots each spring to reestablish the tree, the opportunity to get the best crop is lost with the loss of the old growth. Protecting the previous years’ branches over the winter will pay big dividends. These older branches will produce the biggest and best quality fig crop in early to mid-summer. Therefore, they are worth protecting.

Q:  What is the most serious pest threat once the trees start producing fruit?

A:  Figs are not usually bothered seriously by insects and diseases. Once the fruit ripens, the biggest pests are the fruit-eating kind, such as birds and squirrels.

Q:  How do I know when to harvest the figs?

A:  Figs ripen on the tree, not off. If you pick the fruit too soon, it may not ripen further and you miss the figs when their flavors are at their best. The color of the skin may not be best indicator of fruit ripeness. Gently squeeze the fruit and picked it when it is quite soft all around. More often than not, you will find that the birds will have beaten you to them.

Q:  How much water and fertilizer should I be applying to a growing fig tree?

A:  Figs trees are native to the warm, dry lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea and in the Middle East. They do not especially benefit from extensive moisture or heavy feeding. Once established, treat them with a minimalist attitude as far as watering and fertilizing. They seek warmth during the growing season and plenty of sunlight.