Xon, good reading, thanks.

Yes, intesting reading. The author doesn't seem to be that impressed with HC (me either).

Good to see you posting again Xon.

Very interesting & salute to your true figgie swedish friend. Thanks for sharing the interesting news.

Although I am not live in a cold climate, it is very interesting for reading. Thanks Xon.

After reading, there is not a clear "winner" but they have gotten good results from "Ronde de Bordeaux". It is an excellent tasting fig, vigorous, cold resistant and early variety but, in my opinion, it is a frequently omitted in variety rankings (not in Europe), I don't know why!

Thanks to everybody for your answers, but especially to Bo Blomqvist who is the author of this interesting work.
Usually I like sharing that I think is interesting for you, but I learned and I am learning thanks that you are sharing in this forum.
This is the power of good forum with nice people.
I am following with interest the post about the origin of Hardy Chicago.

Hi, xon:

I have a daughter in southern Norway who struggles to grow figs, and a friend in southern Sweden, who does somewhat better, but still struggles.

The problem is not the Winter cold--for both are about USDA zone 7--but the lack of heat in Summer. I read the report of Bo's efforts, and you'll notice in the first paragraph, he says the average July temperature is 17 degrees C, which is about 63 degrees F, at his location in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Such is my daughter's perdicament in Sveio, Norway, which has mild enough Winters, but rarely reaches 80 degrees F (27 degrees C), in Summer. It is difficult for them to grow Tomatoes, and other heat-loving vegetables, as well as heat-loving fruits, such as Figs.

Many people in Scandanavian countries also believe that Summertime heat contributes to Winter hardiness in Figs--and there is little Summer heat in any part of Norway.

Still, I have seen some beautiful Figs in Sweden, espaliered on masonry walls, and located against South-facing masonry structures (buildings, walls) in courtyards, where such structures natually gather and hold heat, and negate Winter winds.

Also, a good climate for locating above-ground containerized Figs in dark pots, to gather and hold heat.

It's about the only way to grow outdoor Figs in an area where average Summer daytime temperatures are 70 degrees F (21 degrees C), and average Summer nighttime temperatures are 50 degrees F (10 degrees C), and an overall average Summer temperature of 60 degrees F (15-16 degrees C).

Extremely difficult to ripen figs with temps that low, even though their frost-free growing season extends from May through October, as it does at my zone 7a location in Maryland.

Shopping in Norwegian grocery stores, I noticed that many of their warm-weather fruits and vegetables come from Spain (and Figs, about $4 apiece, at this time of year).

Your post, It is very interesting.
I cannot imagine me, to live in these cold climates.
I admire these people and their effort.
With global warming up, my country could be than cold as NY we are in the same latitude. We are heated by the Gulf Stream.
About the prices I do not know, I have seen figs in Brussels cheaper than Catalonia. ( 6 Eur/Kg ) The fig in the street market they came from Italy.( 4 Eur/Kg).
Of course, Catalonian figs in this case were better.

Thanks,

xon:

Norway is not in the European Union--yet, and still has their Kroner, which has gained against the U.S. Dollar. The last 5 years, or so, it took from 6 to 7 Kroners to equal one U.S. Dollar.

Now, it's between 5 and 5 1/2 Kroners, the last I heard (a few weeks ago). My daughter called from Norway a few weeks ago and said she bought Figs in a grocery store for 22 Kroners each--about 4 Dollars, each, U.S.

If I lived in Norway or Sweden or any other Scandanavian country with cool Summer temperatures, I'd build a fairly thick (rough) stone wall (for mass, to hold heat), paint it a dark color, and espallier the Fig on the south side among the protruding rough stones. That ought to increase the heat enough to ripen Figs during the growing season, and would also hold heat from the sun and release it slowly, during the night, in Winter.