You should be OK leaving it in the ground in Zone 9 if the air-temperaure does not stay colder than -5C for a prolonged period. You may cover it with a blanket over it for the first year or two to gain maturity but it should be OK.

Unless zone 9 means something different where you are than where I am your tree should be happy in the ground.

Dierdre, There are a lot of fig growers across Canada. Do not be afraid to e-mail them and find out their experiences and recommendations. I wish I had your zone. The BT should do very well for you.

John.

Where is zone 9 in BC coast ? My friend on westside(UBC) is zone 8. The best variant you can have in Vancouver, Victoria & the Fraser Valley(like me) is Desert King. It is a better variant. Even though it is only breba, the volume of figs surpasss that of Brown Turkey. I have Vern's Brown Turkey & so did one of my friend(UBC) and it drops a lot of figs. Productive tree though but I would be very lucky to even have one ripe fig for this season. Its a 3rd year in ground tree. Likely to go to the composter after 1 more year. With regard to the BT breba crop, pratically remote that you get many figs to ripen -- the spring is too cold & the little figlets will almost all drop. This is the reason I ask where zone 9 are you because in zone 9 with some protection you may be able to have some breba's.

I once asked a retailer why he stock BT and the answer was its hardy. They know very little on fig's dropping & the ability to get a decent main crop fig. In my opinion, I have not come across any fig variants that is marketed in the local nurseries that will ever give a decent harvest of main crop figs. Stick to DK & you will have bountiful harvest. All other variants I have are playing a supportive role in making up the volume of ripe figs during Sept/early Oct --- a few here & there makes the 2 fignuts I have at home happy. Indian summer is what we need every year.

I have not seen any fig trees protected here. My friends in Vancouver do run into die backs on the tips. Thus if your tree have green branches/stems -- these are the likely places where it will be affected. I have seen banana trees protected with straws and wrapped in plastic.

Like I said - newbie to gardening. My mother said I was probably zone 9, but on the web it says zone 8a - I'm in Powell River. My yard is full sun practically all day long as it is currently a vast expanse of grass, which is what prompted us to buy a few fruit trees in the first place.

Maybe I should go see if there are any desert kings left at the nursery - I know there were a couple when I was there, but when I asked, the seller thought I would be happier with the brown turkey.

Thanks for all the information!!

Paully gave you good advice. Here's something else to consider: you may not want to buy your Desert King at that nursery. If they aren't knowledgable about varieties then there's a good chance that the varieties that they do have may be mislabelled. It's a very common problem when buying fig trees. You're better off getting your plants and cuttings from a knowledgable and reliable source.

Joe

dedrie -- Strongly recommend that you go with Desert King in Powell River. You'll get to enjoy bountiful harvest. Mislabelling in fruit trees is very common. We just had one experience today at a friend's place on a Fuyu persimmon. It was a persimmon but not Fuyu. If you like persimmon, Fuyu is one tree that will guarantee you a real good harvest. They have to be pick & ripen indoor or the late Nov frost will damage the fruits. Fuyu ripens nicely indoor. Excellent for fresh eating & as salad too.

I have brown turkey figs. I had a very good crop of figs this year. The second crop this year is about the size of a quarter. I hope they rippen before they freeze. They did last year.

I did cover my trees last year when the temperature went below 20 degrees F.

In Georgia trees do freeze back, and then they come back up form the ground. They make bushes that are low enough to pick the figs.

Most people never cover the fig trees.

Click on the link below. All you need to know to grow figs in Georgia.

Karyl

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Figs

I've wanted a fig tree (bush) for a long time. Is it too late to try and find one here in mid-Missouri? Zone 5 (I think). My Mom had one (think it was the brown turkey) in Texas and it was self-pollinating. Is this common? Do I need just one? I thought I'd plant it on the south side of the house (to be protected from north winds, etc.) and get good sun.
I'm taking suggestions as you all can tell.

Melody,
It may be too late to find one at a local nursery in your area as they'll be carrying pumpkins and Christmas trees soon. There will be online nurseries doing fall ordering shortly though. A couple of nursery owners post on this forum. Look for Encanto Farms and Trees of Joy (sorry if I missed anyone). There are a number of other nurseries online including but not limited to:
1) Burnt Ridge Nursery
2) Edible Lanscaping
3) Just Fruits and Exotics
4) Italian Fig Trees
5) Rain Tree Nursery

I'm not promoting one over another but these are considered reputable and I have bought from one of them.

Beware of nurseries that start with the letter T - as they might trick you trick you.

mrhappy

Thank you! I just now found my post (after posting another question). I'm going to check these out. NOW, if I can just get my husband to agree to diggin' a hole for me!! Or maybe I should keep it inside this winter? What do you think?

I think I would keep a fall purchase in the pot until spring if I lived in central Missouri but maybe someone on the forum with more experience could provide more ionsight.

dedrie,

Brown Turkey SUCKS along the North Pacific Coast! Desert King is perhaps your best option as has been stated. You can get good Breba crops but don't expect any Main crop Figs any you won't be real disappointed. Check out my website for information about The Puget Sound Regional Fig Variety Test. With some luck, I'll get a chance to post this year's update within a month.

Happy Growing, kiwibob

Here is a link that might be useful: KIWIFRUITSALAD2

Dedrie,

I used to grow a brown turkey fig in south missouri. I buried it every year by tying up the branches, wrapping it in burlap and cutting the roots about a foot away from the trunk and burying it in a long trench with a board and leaves on the top. Some people will just trim them, put a ring of chicken wire around them and fill with dry leaves. There are probably hardier varieties that might be better for you--like Hardy Chicago or Celeste. Some sort of winter protection will probably be necessary--often they do best up next to a fence or building. You might search the forum for winter protection and figs.

Scott