If you’ve been looking to add some fruit to your garden in Georgia, then you should probably consider growing figs. Fig trees are relatively easy to care for and can produce a bountiful crop with very little effort. And, of course, fresh figs taste amazing!
What conditions do fig trees require to thrive?
Since different varieties of fig trees have adapted to different growing zones, the goal is to pick the variety that is best suited for your area. A majority of fig trees will do well in soils with a pH range from 5.5 to 6.5. Thankfully, you can always adjust your soil’s pH if it’s outside this range.
After finding the right variety to go with, you’d also have to find the perfect spot to grow it in. That spot should receive the maximum hours of sunlight, in addition to being away from flowerbeds and other planters. That’s mainly because fig tree roots grow outward as they become larger.
What are the best figs for Georgia?
There are a number of different kinds of figs that will grow well in the warm Georgia climate. Georgia, a location that falls under the USDA plant hardiness zones 6-9, is suitable for growing the following varieties of fig trees:
1. Black mission fig tree
Easily distinguishable by its sweet, incredibly textured fruits that can be used for cooking, the black mission fig tree is perfect for Georgia gardeners. And since the figs from this tree are hard to find in supermarkets, you can always save yourself money and a trip to the store by picking them right off your own tree!
You’ll also love the fact that black mission fig trees are very easy to take care of, given that they are hardy in zones 7-10. They produce fruit persistently without requiring much fertilizing, pruning, or waiting, like other fruit trees. What’s more, you will get two harvests every year, during early fall and early spring.
2. Fignomenal fig tree
Despite being a dwarf tree that will only become 28′ tall and wide, the Fignomenal Fig is, hands-down, the most reliable and trustable compact fig tree that you can ever find. Able to fit comfortably on your patio in hardiness zones 4-11 or backyard in hardiness zones 8-11, this tree will provide you with an abundant amount of delicious, healthy fruits.
All you have to do to make your tree thrive is to plant it in the grow pot of your choice or plant it in the ground, and water it regularly. Your tree will be happy in the full sun and will appreciate being protected from extreme cold. In return, it will bear medium-size fruit that has lovely, deep shadings of brown on the outside, and a reddish-pinkish flesh.
3. Little Miss Figgy Tree
This fig tree makes it possible to enjoy delicious figs even when you don’t have a lot of space to spare. The Little Miss Figgy tree will stay nice and compact, reaching a height of just 4-6 feet.
Even though it’s small, it still packs a punch and can produce an impressive yield of fruit in outdoor locations that fall under hardiness zones 8-10.
The Little Miss Figgy is also perfect for protected container gardening in hardiness zones 5-7. It can be grown in a pot from an indoor setting and will do just as well as it would in the ground. Just make sure that you choose a pot that’s large enough to accommodate the tree’s roots, and that has good drainage.
You also want to make sure that you place the plant in an area that gets a lot of sunlight. It needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to produce fruit.
4. Desert King Fig Tree
This largely coveted cultivar is known to produce rich-flavored figs with a strawberry-hued interior. Since its fruits ripen during the mid-late summer period, you can be sure that this fig tree will thrive even in cooler climates.
Even better is the fact that the Desert King Fig tree is very low-maintenance, and can adapt to different soil types. It’s also amazingly tolerant to late spring frost, notorious for damaging fruit, and thrives best in hardiness zones 7-10.
5. Chicago hardy fig tree
Known to yield generously in hardiness zones 5-11 after a very short period, the Chicago hardy fig tree requires only a few number of months to mature and produce fruit. The Chicago Hardy Fig tree is also able to withstand colder seasons and will make it out of winter, no matter how cold the weather gets.
This fig tree will literally freeze over when there is a harsh winter, and will still give forth a bountiful harvest in the spring. All you have to do is water it regularly, and also make sure that it gets enough sunlight.
Best Figs to Grow in Georgia: To sum it all up
These are five of the best fig trees that you can grow in Georgia. All of these trees are easy to take care of and will provide you with an abundance of delicious, healthy fruit.
Just choose the one that best fits your needs, and start your fig-growing journey today!
Related Article: Is My Fig Tree Dead?