Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Fig Culture in North Florida

The common edible fig (ficus carica) has been ignored  far too long in North America. Aside from those who come from certain immigrant neighborhoods and a number of fig enthusiasts, most Americans associate this delicious fruit with the cookie. That's a crying shame because once you've tasted a ripe fresh fig, your life will never be the same.

Another common misunderstanding is that the fig world is made up of only two or three varieties; Brown Turkey, Celeste and possibly an exotic rumored green fig or two. In reality, there are  thousands of varieties that come in different sizes, shapes and colors. Each one is unique and most are great tasting.

I would like to be a goodwill ambassador for this misunderstood fruit and also to help disseminate information, cuttings and plants to those who are new to growing figs. I speak from the perspective of a North Florida grower but most of the information can be applied to any geographic area.

I started my fig orchard on a two acre plot of land on the outskirts of Tallahassee in 2011. There are currently approximately 55 trees in the orchard and many more in four 150 foot long fig hedges. The composition of the orchard is continually changing, as I experiment with different varieties. I am looking for the most vigorous, disease resistant and best tasting cultivars specific for my area. There are a more than 150 different varieties currently being trialed in the orchard...this number continues to grow.

I hope the North Florida Figs Blog will attract a community of similar minded fig lovers that will provide us opportunities for the exchange of ideas, information and plant material.

In the meanwhile. please enjoy my YouTube videos of the orchard and hedges.