Slice the Figs in half...freeze...EAT! Delicious!!! I've had to make a "map" of trees in case the tags disappears. LSU Purple are delicious. Yes, Olypmian Figs are large.
I ordered 4 Celeste fig trees from the Bezos "A" site and none of the leaves match Celeste but they do match Violette de Bordeux. None fruited this year though because they were so tiny when I planted them. I did at least get a real Brown Turkey tree. I ordered Celeste for cold hardiness even tho I`m in Louisiana because it has been colder and colder each year. I should have ordered a variety pack because there`s no telling what I`ve wasted an entire year on.
Remove the stems. 2 pounds of figs. 1 pound of sugar. Cook in a heavy pot til 215 degrees. Put in sterilized jars. Water bath at 212 degrees for 20 min. Pull out of water. Tops pop and you are done. Yum yum.
Travis your wife is a natural in front of the camera. Hopefully I get more figs from my tree next year the few I had either fell off or eaten by something.
Had an arthritis pain day today-soooo happy to have your vid’s to watch AND to meet both kids and Brooklyn(sp?) the “Hey Trav” voice! (This is how I share your vids with family-hey Trav in subject line). Thanks so much for all you and your family do!
Hi Travis. We are growing about 150 fig varieties in Chattanooga, TN. It seems you tend to prefer the dark berry figs. So I would like to recommend one to you. Colonel Littmans Black Cross is an old heirloom variety that was discovered in the deep south, so it is well acclimated to you humid climate. It is a top-tier fig with a rich fantastic complex flavor. If you like Malta Black, you would love it. Another one to consider would be White Madeira #1. There are tons of other ones I could list... If we can help you in any way, feel free to contact us.
I make fig preserves and fig jam without pectin. You just cook it down to the correct consistency and ladle it into your jars and process. I agree that you can’t have too many fig trees. I have 2 Brown Turkey trees from cuttings I took from a huge tree I had planted at our former home, plus a G. Neri fig I bought out a nursery in Louisiana that is supposed to produce the “world’s largest figs,” and I have a Madeleine fig I bought last year at Lowe’s. I’m planning on doing some more propagation over the next couple of years.
Here in So.California, we see a lot of different figs but the most common are the Black Mission fig, which were originally planted by the Spanish Missionaries. I've not planted them but they make a good eatting fig and can be dried to preserve them and can be used like prunes. The are delicious with goat cheese and dried meats.
I planted my little Celeste fig tree about ten years ago. It's huge now. I do absolutely nothing to it, no watering, no feeding, no pruning and it gives a ton delicious figs every year.
(I planted it in honor of my mother Celesta. Could that have something to do with the success?💗😂) I have a bowl of figs at least that size frozen for future jelly making and have eaten at least that much fresh so far with some more left on just this one tree. Thanks for all the info. The jelly looks great.
I could sit on a tailgate and eat figs out of a bucket until I keeled over. The falldown can be a yellowjacket magnet, however. The Missus certainly appreciated the Pomona pectin tip.
You explained more about the different types of figs than any other so called fig expert video I've seen and your fig diagram really helped. Thank you! Also, thanks for the canning demonstration.
Thank you for sharing your jelly process. You and Travis are both awesome teachers at sharing your knowledge. I make smooth jelly as well. No big chunks for me!!
My Father tried to grow figs in the open as you have yours planted back in the 1960s and 70s. They were killed to the ground every year by freezes. Eventually, he took my advice and moved them to the South side of outbuildings and they survived much better. When I moved out and bought my first home, I planted LSU Purple and Gold, Negronne, Celeste, Brown Turkey, and Alma. I planted them on the South side of my home and outbuildings. The most consistent producing figs were Brown Turkey. Celeste was good but they dropped figs under dry conditions. Negronne was excellent but often had freeze damage. The LSU Purple and Gold and Alma split in wet years, and the flavor was flat except for the driest years. It's likely due to the clay subsoil holding too much water. I eventually cut them all down and gave up. LOL The ants, wasps, hornets, etc., were just too much to contend with. Up here, people call them "fig bushes", not "fig trees", because they rarely grew large enough to be called trees. LOL My cousin that lives near Statesboro has a huge fig tree that has a trunk as big as my waist and was at least 20' wide and at least that tall.
Our Brown Turkey consistently produces earlier than the other varieties, but it's one and done. Some of the others will produce throughout the entire summer.
@@LazyDogFarm Brown Turkey should produce an early "breba" crop on year old wood and then a later crop on new growth. Up here the breba crop was generally winter killed and we only got the late crop on new growth. The late crop attracted ants, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets, making picking them an adventure. LOL I wonder if your Brown Turkey is mislabeled? You should be getting the main crop from new growth.
I agree with homemade gifts it means a lot more than just a plastic card you grab last minute I just put up a ton of peach preserves for gifts through the year
I am so excited for yall to get a greenhouse! I'm watching closely for the cue to start fall crops. I'm in 8a and plan to grow cabbage, kale, carrots, collard greens, broccoli and Brussel sprouts. I've got my fall tomatoes started already and plan on direct seeding some green beans and more okra too.
Of all the fig trees I've ever seen, figs only grow on NEW growth. If your tree gets to where you can't reach to pick the figs, it's time to trim it that Fall. You will not lose production. Of course, if you don't worry about that, then it will just be a pretty tree out in the field! :)
I’ve noticed with the Pomona’s most of my jellies are more vibrant in color! I’m assuming it has something to do with the type of pectin but it just seems to stay a truer color to the fruit. My strawberry jelly looks like fresh fruit in the jar.
I would think since you're not thinking out the mixture with so much sugar that's why it's holding it's color well. I definitely want to try this stuff!
I have a Brown Turkey and a Marsailles, and I live in the Rocky Mountains (zone 6a). Between the high altitude, semi-arid climate, and short growing season, I have to be picky about varieties. People around here still manage to grow stuff like figs and pomegranates by finding the warmest microclimate in their yard (next to a sunny wall is popular) and planting them there.
@@LazyDogFarm every area has unique challenges. It's dry enough here that the typical fungal and bacterial diseases are rarely a problem, but drought, pests, and late frosts can be devastating to both farmers and home gardeners. Btw, I'm more than a little jealous that you're harvesting pumpkins and watermelons when mine are just barely setting fruit!
Low sugar pectin? Where has this been all my life? Switching over now. I remember when I was little we had a fig tree. Ate biscuits with fig preserves. More fruit flavor less sugar. Thanks
All this info about figs is pretty interesting - I've never eaten a fig. Don't see them much here in Central CA, although it seems they would grow well here. Sorry about all your rain back there, wish we could swap out some of it here - our total this season July 1 to July 1 was 9.4 inches. We're in a bad way.
Hope y'all get some relief soon. I know it gets dangerous over there when it's so dry. And you should definitely be able to grow some awesome figs over there.
I have two varieties Black beauty figs and Tanya figs they're both very good I do know figs are very Hardy plants my pigs got into my trees ate one clear down to one leaf and they all came back beautifully I plan last fall I've never eaten a fig my husband likes them so I guess I'll try one
You'll have to make shirts with the Fig King on it. A big pretty fig and a King crown directly on top or slightly crooked on top. Wow that is alot of Fig trees. I think I may stick with just a few to start. Great great video. I will have to look up that Pomona pectin. Brooklyn you are a canning queen! Love your instructionals. I keep your canning videos on a separate Playlist so it's easier to go back to.Great video again!!! Travis you don't look like you are in as much pain as at first, glad to see you are on the mend. Keeping yall in my prayers!
Great video! I am in Southern NJ and I have 2 Chicago Hardy Figs that lived in pots for 3 years! I FINALLY planted them this year into the ground. They still grew and gave me figs in the pots, but boy do they look good now! I have had such good luck starting new plants from cuttings. I cut the branches when they are dormant, dip in rooting hormone, and then place in a pot with wet soil. I would say its about a 90% success rate. Wish I could get my roses to root that easy from cuttings!
Figs! Alright, alright, allllright!!! Really great info about varieties. I might suggest, from experience, that when you go to get a particular fig variety, be sure to consider the source where you buy. I bought two figs a foot tall in plastic pots that were "labelled" Black Mission and Texas Everbearing... but both, now they are bearing, look exactly like Brown Turkey in every respect!:-0 Alas. But.... they taste good! Timely video Travis and, Brooklyn, wonderful kitchen how to! Thanks!!
We have Kadota and Mission figs in zone 9B. Kadota is tremendously sweet, almost too sweet. Tried to can with SureJell; way too sweet!!! Made some wild plum and cherry jam with Pomona this spring, turned out awesome. Pomona will be my standard from now on. As far a the Missions it is a 2 year old tree so not a big producer yet. It is a daily battle with the birds as to who gets to the fruit first.
We struck a deal with our birds. They can have the ones at the top we can't reach, and we get the low hanging fruit. They seem to have complied so far.
Great video ! We really enjoyed watching your video on figs. Nice fig orchard . We had 14 trees die in a hard freeze a couple of years back and haven't started over yet. Another good source of figs is the millennial gardener . He just did a tour of his in ground and container plantings. I think he's apart of a network of fig growers. Looking forward to checking out the sites you mentioned. Hope this helps. John S.
I knew several older Italian grandmothers that had fig trees in their backyards all the way north in lower Pennsylvania -- so I know that there are types that will grow way north of Dixie. I remember helping a neighbor trim her tree back. They were darker and very sugar tasting if I remember correctly from my youth.
Nice video on figs. When we went to the beach, I recognized the leaves above someone's fence. I'll have to tell mom about that Pimona's Pectin so she can make some jam/jelly that is better for dad to eat. About a month ago he was diagnosed with type 2 adult onset diabetes, but he's not bad, numbers just high enough to be diabetic. Apparently surjel also makes a less sugar variety (pink box conpared to yellow), but she hasn't used it yet. Y'all take care
black genoa are best figs, period :) clean taste without too much sweetness or other flavours that build up on the palate. perfect for eating fresh or in salad. i grow mine in a massive (and aesthetic) pot, as i'm missing one thing here..a homestead. figs like dry summers, wet winters, but no frost.
Enjoyed that Travis. Figs are delicious. I live in East Texas same zone as you. I have a couple Figs, Black Mission and Texas Ever bearing and looking forward to Fig Jelly now!!. Thanks Again!
Well, I'm fig crazy. I only have three, ona cuz I'm new to it. My favorite so far (because it is very forgiving) is the Chicago Hardy: delicious. I'm going to get more, but it takes time. AND, I have to compete with the hateful birds here in southeast Arizona, USA.
We have Texas Native Figs. I made Fig Jam last year with liquid pectin. Also, I use an immersion blender instead of processor. It blends the figs well with the sugar and pectin. Its so pretty and yummy. We can try to send you a cutting. We are in 8b as well, in TX.
@@LazyDogFarm Hey Travis, I bought a nice handful of cuttings from Cajun B about 2 months ago, and he mentioned the video ya'll made. Brian is a very successful farmer / gardener and an excellent resource for info.
I give away frozen veggies out of my garden for Xmas and my friends love it and hopefully I will instill the idea of growing their own garden in them. I have tons of heirloom seeds to share and some knowledge to get them on their way.
I bought a Chicago fig this year… I never got it in the ground because I never have decided where to put it. Even though it lived in a pot all year, It made quite a few dark figs with red insides… ALL summer! I picked and ate one this past week about 2 days before our first hard freeze…. I t has done well in our zone 6B area. I had an LSU Purple fig last year when we lived in Texas. It was ok, but again, wasn’t living in ideal conditions… I never was totally satisfied with it’s flavor.. I may get a few mire Chicago figs next year..
My LSU Purple tree is not that great of a producer. Might be where it is located, but it doesn't do well compared to all the others. The figs on it are pretty tasty though!
@@LazyDogFarm : mine was a bit of a disappointment, both in production and in flavor… but it was living in coastal south Texas, though… two seasons; hot and hotter…
I have never eaten a fresh fig. Sure wish we could grow them up here in Michigan...zone 5...dried is how I've always eaten them. I'll have to go South for fresh figs.
I have 3 different types of figs here in TN. I have a Tennessee Fig(don't know much about this one first year!) , 3 Chicago figs(first year for these too), & 2 Olympian figs ( 5 or 6 yr old)...The Olympian fig usually dies back to the ground in the winter, but will grow 6-7 feet over the summer producing figs in October. I covered the Olympians last fall to save the harvest , & it stopped them from dying completely! Hopefully they will produce earlier!
What mine having a fig tree to my mango and avocado collection, not sure if they would grow this far south, Heat humidity in quite a bit of rain in the Summer
@@LazyDogFarm you’re welcome. I had been terribly confused about why I didn’t see you on the show and the other day one of your videos was recommended by TH-cam. So today I kinda binge watched some of your videos. Well, I admit I’m not the sharpest crayon in the box but I think I’ve got this connect the dot coloring page figured out. I’m tickled to see you and Brooklyn and the boys doing your best life!!!!!! Which has me considering not placing my original order. Like Luke says, “Grow Big Or Go Home”. Blessings from NC🍅
There are three main fig flavor profiles -- sugar, berry, and honey -- with some having a combination of those flavors. Sugar figs are probably what's in a Fig Newton.
I have one tree that has giant dark brown figs that get bugs which turn it into vinegar. I get a couple of giant amazing figs before the tiny bugs climb into the fig opening. Also air layering figs are easy and cheap way to share with friends or get more trees to fill in them blanks spots in your fig orchard. I have made a bunch of celeste figs for people. Btw those have tighter holes so no bugs. Do you notice any of yours with openings that invite bugs? I wanna get another variety but I don't want the vinegar fig type that probably would do great in California but not so good in Florida.
Yeah there are definitely some differences in the 'eye' size on some of the varieties. The brown turkey is pretty open, which means you have to pick them early before the bugs get them.
I love, love, love Pamona’s Pectin, it’s the only type I use anymore. I had problems getting jams and jellies to set using other pectins but now they set every time. Even plum! And plum is a booger to get to set! I even bought Pamona’s book on preserving. I’m not related, affiliated, or anything else by them, it’s just my experience. Love your channel! 🥰👍🏻 P.S. add some orange juice or zest to your fig jam/preserves- the flavor is outstanding!
I noticed the drip tape you running any kind of fertilizer to them to help them along? My wife and I are trying to decide whether to plant ours in the ground or keep them in a pot. We have two Olympia figs that we just purchased. We are about 3 hours north of you. Thanks for your time and your videos we always enjoy!
Living in zone 6B, I'm a bit apprehensive about growing fig trees. I doubt they would have survived last winter's arctic blast, but most of our winters are milder than when I was a kid. There are some varieties that are somewhat cold hardy, including Brown Turkey, so I might have to give them a try.... with fingers crossed.
I used to live in 6b and saw the most gorgeous huge fig tree! Here in Texas, our figs took a beating last winter with that deep freeze. I trimmed them all back and they sent out new growth. Although I didn't get any fruit last summer, they are alive and well. Knowing what I know now I'd probably wrap them in frost cloth.
Thank You Travis For Shout Out ! 1,030 lbs Of figs so far…. We Enjoy watching this video and impress. How u pronounced Chackbay…. Hope Your Fans Check Out FloraBama Homestead TH-cam Channel
E.njoyed the video, didn't know there was such a variety of figs! You might want to check with Pete Kanaris of Green Dreams, he may have some varieties that you do not have, he is in Spring Hill, Florida and ships!
If you really like the Black Malta, I would say get a few more of those along with whatever other ones you get. Being outside of Chicago, I think the only fig tree that might have a chance around here is the Chicago fig. I did make raspberry jam for the 1st time this year. That turned out well. Actually came out closer to raspberry preserves. I don't know how much natural pectin figs have but that seems like a lot of sugar for that Sure Gel brand.
Just tried the Pomona’s for the first time last week for low sugar peach & jalapeño jam! Worked beautifully with fantastic consistency. NOT disappointed at all. So glad to have a less sugar option for jellies and jams! Going to make JamacianMeCrazy Jam this weekend 🥭 🍓
I have Violette de Bourdeaux in a pot, the first few figs on it have been purple skin with dark red inside, I really liked the flavor. I think it falls on your berry end of things. I understand the tree is a smaller grower.
Yeah ours didn't do much the first year, but really started to grow fast lately. The figs are much smaller than some of the other varieties we have, but tasty!
Great great video, I enjoyed learning so much about Figs. I have never ate a fresh fig before. I think the closest I ever got was a fig newton. Im grow a baby fig tree this year and I cant wait to try them whenever I get some on the tree (probably wont be this year) Im hoping this Chicago Hardy produces a berry flavored type.
Great post/Beautiful fig trees! Travis not sure what type fig we have but our three trees are lush and have large dark green beautiful leaf/ they produce small delicious figs/by fall of year they stand about eight feet tall. But by first frost they don't just become dormant they die off to ground level and the process start all over again come Spring. This is very disheartening to say the least. I wish we had fig (trees) but I guess we got fig bush. Have any idea what variety fig we're dealing with here? North Miss is my grow zone. TY & take care yourself. Don't rush the healing process that greenhouse can wait a few more! James 5:7-20 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
No idea what variety that could be -- there are hundreds of varieties out there. That stinks that they die back so much. Might consider a blanket on those real cold nights.
If you pinch off the tips of every branch early your figs will start developing fruit fast and you will get ripe figs before the frost. I live in 6B it works for me.
That was interesting Travis. I made fig preserves this week myself. I don't know what variety tree mom has but I would guess between Sugar and Berry on your chart.
Really good information here! This year I bought an Italian Honey Fig from Stark Bros. I've been hardening it off, but I think I'll follow your lead and put it in a large pot until maybe next year and then plant it out. Brooklyn! Is that calcium in the Pomona's Pectin calcium chloride? That's what Ball Pickle Crisp is. I do a lot of home cheese making and use it to make and store liquid calcium chloride in the fridge (I add it to pasturized milk to make it form a firmer curd). I think your Sure Gel fig jam is darker because there is more sugar in it - more sugar seems to make your end product more translucent. And Travis! Thank you and your Dad for teaching me to grow sweet corn! I harvested today and used Brooklyn's recipe for freezing. I got 50 out of about 110 ears done so far, and 10 meal-sized packs in the freezer!
Very nice video and informative ,but I'm almost certain that the first tree that you called brown turkey is actually celeste. Just my opinion. Thanks again for your video.
I've often wondered that myself. The leaves look more like a Brown Turkey to me. But this tree doesn't produce two crops of figs like Brown Turkey is said to do. It just produces one main crop in the late spring and that's it.
How do you keep the crows out of your trees??? I have a terrible time getting a fig, the dang crows get them all, and since I still work, not much I have been able to do about it. All I can say is they better enjoy it while it last... I've got a .410 with their name carved on the side., and pretty soon I'll come calling. I'm kinda like you, I just started planting them, and giving them a try, and just kept planting, and looked up one day and had a bunch of trees... somewhere around 20 or so, although I have fewer varieties than you... I did root a bunch of mine, and somehow managed to get them to go. We have been using Pomona's Pectin for a while now... it takes some getting used to, but we all need to cut sugar from our lives to the extent possible... so we are just adapting as best we can... it's for the best. Hey don't be laughing about the front yard... I ran out of room and planted I think 11 trees in the front yard... 4 pears, 2 pomegranate 2 Lemon 3 Mulberry I think that's all there is... at the moment... but I just parked two apple trees on the edge of the deck (they were a gift), so I gotta find them a home. It's getting kinda hard to mow... glad I have a zero turn! Our house is completely surrounded by fruit trees of one variety or another. Peaches, Plums, Oranges, Figs and out in the field we have a bunch of Pecan, and Walnut Trees. Even a fair number of Chinquapin trees, I do be loving me some Chinquapin nuts... if you know what that is.
I had a conference with the crows several years ago. We each shared our reasons for enjoying the figs, but were able to come to a mutual agreement. They get the ones at the top, and they don't touch the ones within arms reach. I've yet to have any violations of the above mentioned agreement.
On typical year, the average yearly low where I live is about 0F, and in the past decade, the coldest temperature was about -10F. I know some people grow figs here but not sure how many varieties can be left in the ground over the winter.
@@LazyDogFarm ok so looking into it, seems people here either grow them in pots they bring indoors for the winter, or they bend the limbs down to the ground and bury them in soil to insulate them over the winter. Obviously that means we can't grow huge trees like yours but maybe the small ones can still yield ok?
Youve made alot of progress in 3.5 years pursuing your vision. I have almost 40 varieties i picked up since 2022 myself.
Slice the Figs in half...freeze...EAT! Delicious!!! I've had to make a "map" of trees in case the tags disappears. LSU Purple are delicious. Yes, Olypmian Figs are large.
I ordered 4 Celeste fig trees from the Bezos "A" site and none of the leaves match Celeste but they do match Violette de Bordeux. None fruited this year though because they were so tiny when I planted them. I did at least get a real Brown Turkey tree. I ordered Celeste for cold hardiness even tho I`m in Louisiana because it has been colder and colder each year. I should have ordered a variety pack because there`s no telling what I`ve wasted an entire year on.
Nothing better than a good fig.
That's right!
Remove the stems. 2 pounds of figs. 1 pound of sugar. Cook in a heavy pot til 215 degrees. Put in sterilized jars. Water bath at 212 degrees for 20 min. Pull out of water. Tops pop and you are done. Yum yum.
Sounds like a nice and simple way to do preserves. Thanks for sharing.
Travis your wife is a natural in front of the camera. Hopefully I get more figs from my tree next year the few I had either fell off or eaten by something.
Thanks! I think she does a great job too!
You can never have too many fig trees! That jelly looks delicious.
That's right! Always looking to add more!
Had an arthritis pain day today-soooo happy to have your vid’s to watch AND to meet both kids and Brooklyn(sp?) the “Hey Trav” voice! (This is how I share your vids with family-hey Trav in subject line). Thanks so much for all you and your family do!
Awesome! Thank you very much for the shout out!
Anytime! Thanks for showing us Linda and Cajun B's place!
Pomonas pectin is top notch
Hi Travis. We are growing about 150 fig varieties in Chattanooga, TN. It seems you tend to prefer the dark berry figs. So I would like to recommend one to you. Colonel Littmans Black Cross is an old heirloom variety that was discovered in the deep south, so it is well acclimated to you humid climate. It is a top-tier fig with a rich fantastic complex flavor. If you like Malta Black, you would love it. Another one to consider would be White Madeira #1. There are tons of other ones I could list... If we can help you in any way, feel free to contact us.
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll add those to the list!
@@LazyDogFarm I do grow those, so hit me up if you want
White Maderia number 1 green berry flavor fig.... Just one of the berry flavors that are green.
I make fig preserves and fig jam without pectin. You just cook it down to the correct consistency and ladle it into your jars and process. I agree that you can’t have too many fig trees. I have 2 Brown Turkey trees from cuttings I took from a huge tree I had planted at our former home, plus a G. Neri fig I bought out a nursery in Louisiana that is supposed to produce the “world’s largest figs,” and I have a Madeleine fig I bought last year at Lowe’s. I’m planning on doing some more propagation over the next couple of years.
Ge Neri definitely makes the biggest figs of any of the varieties we have. They get almost as big as a tennis ball.
Rains all day for weeks at a time, that's my world.
I feel your pain.
I could really get into fig growing if I lived down south! I feel a little jealous!
It's a fun hobby!
Just had a thought, at 12:26 you list a Ge Neri: could that actually be an abbreviation for Genovese Nero?
It's possible, but not sure.
Here in So.California, we see a lot of different figs but the most common are the Black Mission fig, which were originally planted by the Spanish Missionaries. I've not planted them but they make a good eatting fig and can be dried to preserve them and can be used like prunes. The are delicious with goat cheese and dried meats.
Figs are great for cheese boards. I need to get a Black Mission tree.
I planted my little Celeste fig tree about ten years ago. It's huge now. I do absolutely nothing to it, no watering, no feeding, no pruning and it gives a ton delicious figs every year.
(I planted it in honor of my mother Celesta. Could that have something to do with the success?💗😂) I have a bowl of figs at least that size frozen for future jelly making and have eaten at least that much fresh so far with some more left on just this one tree. Thanks for all the info. The jelly looks great.
Fig trees are awesome like that. Once they get going, they're pretty maintenance-free!
I could sit on a tailgate and eat figs out of a bucket until I keeled over. The falldown can be a yellowjacket magnet, however. The Missus certainly appreciated the Pomona pectin tip.
Titus will eat them all day long. I like to eat them for breakfast.
This seems to be a JAM since it's not clear. Love it just the same. Thank you.
You have been doing amazing Brooklyn! Keep up the teamwork to make the dream work 😍
Thanks Shanna!
Fig pudding....there's 100's of styles, all good...worth checking out :)
Will do!
You explained more about the different types of figs than any other so called fig expert video I've seen and your fig diagram really helped. Thank you! Also, thanks for the canning demonstration.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for sharing your jelly process. You and Travis are both awesome teachers at sharing your knowledge. I make smooth jelly as well. No big chunks for me!!
Thanks Nancy!
My Father tried to grow figs in the open as you have yours planted back in the 1960s and 70s. They were killed to the ground every year by freezes. Eventually, he took my advice and moved them to the South side of outbuildings and they survived much better. When I moved out and bought my first home, I planted LSU Purple and Gold, Negronne, Celeste, Brown Turkey, and Alma. I planted them on the South side of my home and outbuildings. The most consistent producing figs were Brown Turkey. Celeste was good but they dropped figs under dry conditions. Negronne was excellent but often had freeze damage. The LSU Purple and Gold and Alma split in wet years, and the flavor was flat except for the driest years. It's likely due to the clay subsoil holding too much water. I eventually cut them all down and gave up. LOL The ants, wasps, hornets, etc., were just too much to contend with.
Up here, people call them "fig bushes", not "fig trees", because they rarely grew large enough to be called trees. LOL My cousin that lives near Statesboro has a huge fig tree that has a trunk as big as my waist and was at least 20' wide and at least that tall.
Our Brown Turkey consistently produces earlier than the other varieties, but it's one and done. Some of the others will produce throughout the entire summer.
@@LazyDogFarm Brown Turkey should produce an early "breba" crop on year old wood and then a later crop on new growth. Up here the breba crop was generally winter killed and we only got the late crop on new growth. The late crop attracted ants, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets, making picking them an adventure. LOL
I wonder if your Brown Turkey is mislabeled? You should be getting the main crop from new growth.
Just watched for the second time. Can't wait til your trees are available. Thanks y'all!
Thanks Lerone!
word of the day "continuum"
Haha. Sometimes I get stuck on a word and just keep repeating it.
I agree with homemade gifts it means a lot more than just a plastic card you grab last minute I just put up a ton of peach preserves for gifts through the year
Yes!
Very cool. I have the Olympian it's a decent fruit but very large. Figs are fun. Good job explaining the different types of figs.
They do make massive fruits.
I am so excited for yall to get a greenhouse! I'm watching closely for the cue to start fall crops. I'm in 8a and plan to grow cabbage, kale, carrots, collard greens, broccoli and Brussel sprouts. I've got my fall tomatoes started already and plan on direct seeding some green beans and more okra too.
If you're in 8a, you'll probably want to get them started around mid-August.
Dang, those birds sounded like they are in my house. I have a pair of stage monitors Yamaha MSR100 for my computer speakers.
Must be some good speakers. I don't recall hearing the birds that much while filming or editing.
Yes,I had to stop the video because I thought the cat had a bird on the porch.🤣
Wow you have alot of fig trees!
Some might say I have a problem. lol
Of all the fig trees I've ever seen, figs only grow on NEW growth. If your tree gets to where you can't reach to pick the figs, it's time to trim it that Fall. You will not lose production. Of course, if you don't worry about that, then it will just be a pretty tree out in the field! :)
With our Brown Turkey tree, we get figs on old growth somewhat. But I've seen other trees where they only produce on the new growth.
My grandma have several fig trees and she and my mother made fig preserves every year-so delicious. I really enjoyed this video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I’ve noticed with the Pomona’s most of my jellies are more vibrant in color! I’m assuming it has something to do with the type of pectin but it just seems to stay a truer color to the fruit. My strawberry jelly looks like fresh fruit in the jar.
We're definitely sold on it. Thanks for getting us on the right track!
I would think since you're not thinking out the mixture with so much sugar that's why it's holding it's color well. I definitely want to try this stuff!
I learned a lot from this video. I might jump into fig growing 😀
Go for it!
Way to go Travis
Thanks Edward!
I have a Brown Turkey and a Marsailles, and I live in the Rocky Mountains (zone 6a). Between the high altitude, semi-arid climate, and short growing season, I have to be picky about varieties. People around here still manage to grow stuff like figs and pomegranates by finding the warmest microclimate in their yard (next to a sunny wall is popular) and planting them there.
Good idea! Glad you're able to grow them up there!
@@LazyDogFarm every area has unique challenges. It's dry enough here that the typical fungal and bacterial diseases are rarely a problem, but drought, pests, and late frosts can be devastating to both farmers and home gardeners. Btw, I'm more than a little jealous that you're harvesting pumpkins and watermelons when mine are just barely setting fruit!
Low sugar pectin? Where has this been all my life? Switching over now. I remember when I was little we had a fig tree. Ate biscuits with fig preserves. More fruit flavor less sugar. Thanks
We just tried some from the batch we made on this video and it definitely has more fig flavor instead of just being super sweet.
All this info about figs is pretty interesting - I've never eaten a fig. Don't see them much here in Central CA, although it seems they would grow well here. Sorry about all your rain back there, wish we could swap out some of it here - our total this season July 1 to July 1 was 9.4 inches. We're in a bad way.
Hope y'all get some relief soon. I know it gets dangerous over there when it's so dry. And you should definitely be able to grow some awesome figs over there.
I have two varieties Black beauty figs and Tanya figs they're both very good I do know figs are very Hardy plants my pigs got into my trees ate one clear down to one leaf and they all came back beautifully I plan last fall I've never eaten a fig my husband likes them so I guess I'll try one
Yeah they are pretty hardy except for really cold weather.
Well I am going out to get some tomorrow! Loved this video!! Loved the full story from tree to jam (jelly) ❤️
Have fun!
Thanks. I didn't know there was so many types of figs.
Hundreds!
Good looking fig jelly. Makes me want to dig some holes and put some fig trees in.
So for it!
You'll have to make shirts with the Fig King on it. A big pretty fig and a King crown directly on top or slightly crooked on top. Wow that is alot of Fig trees. I think I may stick with just a few to start. Great great video. I will have to look up that Pomona pectin. Brooklyn you are a canning queen! Love your instructionals. I keep your canning videos on a separate Playlist so it's easier to go back to.Great video again!!! Travis you don't look like you are in as much pain as at first, glad to see you are on the mend. Keeping yall in my prayers!
Definitely feeling better, but only halfway there as far as the recovery period goes. Thanks for watching Cynthia!
Celeste talk about figs. No pun intended. 😂
Love it! Bet that isn't your first time using that one ... lol
Watched the FlouraBama tour yesterday! We have five varieties on the place, unfortunately the rain has them shut down.
Yeah this rain has made timely harvesting very important. But sometimes they spoil on the trees with so much moisture.
Great video! I am in Southern NJ and I have 2 Chicago Hardy Figs that lived in pots for 3 years! I FINALLY planted them this year into the ground. They still grew and gave me figs in the pots, but boy do they look good now! I have had such good luck starting new plants from cuttings. I cut the branches when they are dormant, dip in rooting hormone, and then place in a pot with wet soil. I would say its about a 90% success rate. Wish I could get my roses to root that easy from cuttings!
I didn't use rooting hormone. Maybe I'll have better luck with some of that.
What a great variety of figs! I bet you'd like Black Mission figs, they are delicious.
I've heard good things about it. Need to get one of those.
Figs! Alright, alright, allllright!!! Really great info about varieties. I might suggest, from experience, that when you go to get a particular fig variety, be sure to consider the source where you buy. I bought two figs a foot tall in plastic pots that were "labelled" Black Mission and Texas Everbearing... but both, now they are bearing, look exactly like Brown Turkey in every respect!:-0 Alas. But.... they taste good! Timely video Travis and, Brooklyn, wonderful kitchen how to! Thanks!!
Yes. Source is very important.
I like the way you break it down well explain
Thanks!
We have Kadota and Mission figs in zone 9B. Kadota is tremendously sweet, almost too sweet. Tried to can with SureJell; way too sweet!!! Made some wild plum and cherry jam with Pomona this spring, turned out awesome. Pomona will be my standard from now on. As far a the Missions it is a 2 year old tree so not a big producer yet. It is a daily battle with the birds as to who gets to the fruit first.
We struck a deal with our birds. They can have the ones at the top we can't reach, and we get the low hanging fruit. They seem to have complied so far.
Love your channel. I wonder if I can grow some figs here in SW New Mexico. Research time!
If you can give them some water until they going, I don't see why not!
Great video ! We really enjoyed watching your video on figs.
Nice fig orchard . We had 14 trees die in a hard freeze a couple of years back and haven't started over yet.
Another good source of figs is the millennial gardener . He just did a tour of his in ground and container plantings. I think he's apart of a network of fig growers.
Looking forward to checking out the sites you mentioned. Hope this helps. John S.
Thanks for the tip on more fig info! Sorry to hear about your trees that died.
Jelly looks great!
Thanks Lisa!
You been holdin out my brother.
Haha. Was saving this video for a time when the garden work was slow.
I knew several older Italian grandmothers that had fig trees in their backyards all the way north in lower Pennsylvania -- so I know that there are types that will grow way north of Dixie. I remember helping a neighbor trim her tree back. They were darker and very sugar tasting if I remember correctly from my youth.
That's great that they can be grown all the way up there!
Yes, the Brooklyn White you have, Travis, was discovered in Brooklyn, NY brought here by an immigrant. It's very cold tollerant.
Nice video on figs. When we went to the beach, I recognized the leaves above someone's fence.
I'll have to tell mom about that Pimona's Pectin so she can make some jam/jelly that is better for dad to eat. About a month ago he was diagnosed with type 2 adult onset diabetes, but he's not bad, numbers just high enough to be diabetic. Apparently surjel also makes a less sugar variety (pink box conpared to yellow), but she hasn't used it yet.
Y'all take care
Thanks Austin. Hopefully that Pomona's pectin will work better for your dad.
Great video loved the fig information thank you
Thanks for watching!
black genoa are best figs, period :) clean taste without too much sweetness or other flavours that build up on the palate. perfect for eating fresh or in salad. i grow mine in a massive (and aesthetic) pot, as i'm missing one thing here..a homestead. figs like dry summers, wet winters, but no frost.
We get light frosts, but they always come right back in the spring. I'll have to see if I can get one of those Black Genoa trees.
Enjoyed that Travis. Figs are delicious. I live in East Texas same zone as you. I have a couple Figs, Black Mission and Texas Ever bearing and looking forward to Fig Jelly now!!. Thanks Again!
I've heard good things about Black Mission. I need to add that one to the collection.
Well, I'm fig crazy. I only have three, ona cuz I'm new to it. My favorite so far (because it is very forgiving) is the Chicago Hardy: delicious. I'm going to get more, but it takes time. AND, I have to compete with the hateful birds here in southeast Arizona, USA.
Accumulating a good fig collection definitely takes time. Good to add a few a year until you get too many. lol
We have Texas Native Figs. I made Fig Jam last year with liquid pectin. Also, I use an immersion blender instead of processor. It blends the figs well with the sugar and pectin. Its so pretty and yummy. We can try to send you a cutting. We are in 8b as well, in TX.
I might take you up on that, but I've gotta get a greenhouse first.
Luv watching you guys keep up with all your wonderful videos,looks like your on the mend Travis.
Getting there slowly but surely! Thanks Karen!
I once at so many figs that I got sick 😂. I couldn't eat anything without running to the bathroom and it was like that for 2 weeks
Great info and thank you
Smith is a good tasting fig, it has an intense berry flavor.
Thanks for the suggestion Barry!
@@LazyDogFarm Hey Travis, I bought a nice handful of cuttings from Cajun B about 2 months ago, and he mentioned
the video ya'll made. Brian is a very successful farmer / gardener and an excellent resource for info.
I give away frozen veggies out of my garden for Xmas and my friends love it and hopefully I will instill the idea of growing their own garden in them. I have tons of heirloom seeds to share and some knowledge to get them on their way.
That's great that you're sharing your harvests and knowledge!
I bought a Chicago fig this year… I never got it in the ground because I never have decided where to put it. Even though it lived in a pot all year, It made quite a few dark figs with red insides… ALL summer! I picked and ate one this past week about 2 days before our first hard freeze…. I t has done well in our zone 6B area. I had an LSU Purple fig last year when we lived in Texas. It was ok, but again, wasn’t living in ideal conditions… I never was totally satisfied with it’s flavor.. I may get a few mire Chicago figs next year..
My LSU Purple tree is not that great of a producer. Might be where it is located, but it doesn't do well compared to all the others. The figs on it are pretty tasty though!
@@LazyDogFarm : mine was a bit of a disappointment, both in production and in flavor… but it was living in coastal south Texas, though… two seasons; hot and hotter…
I have never eaten a fresh fig. Sure wish we could grow them up here in Michigan...zone 5...dried is how I've always eaten them. I'll have to go South for fresh figs.
Yeah Michigan might be a little too cold for them.
I have 3 different types of figs here in TN. I have a Tennessee Fig(don't know much about this one first year!) , 3 Chicago figs(first year for these too), & 2 Olympian figs ( 5 or 6 yr old)...The Olympian fig usually dies back to the ground in the winter, but will grow 6-7 feet over the summer producing figs in October. I covered the Olympians last fall to save the harvest , & it stopped them from dying completely! Hopefully they will produce earlier!
Nice! Do the Olympian figs get really big? I've heard that but mine haven't started producing yet.
@@LazyDogFarm Yes! they are big figs for the most part. I canned them like Deep South Homestead last year...
TN Mountain Fig is another name for Celeste.
What mine having a fig tree to my mango and avocado collection, not sure if they would grow this far south, Heat humidity in quite a bit of rain in the Summer
They should do fine down there as long as you give them a little water here and there.
I have wanted to by a fig tree , I didn’t know what species to buy. This helps me a lot. Thank you and God bless.
Hopefully you find one you like!
Awesome video! So yummy looking.
Thanks Wendy!
@@LazyDogFarm you’re welcome. I had been terribly confused about why I didn’t see you on the show and the other day one of your videos was recommended by TH-cam. So today I kinda binge watched some of your videos. Well, I admit I’m not the sharpest crayon in the box but I think I’ve got this connect the dot coloring page figured out. I’m tickled to see you and Brooklyn and the boys doing your best life!!!!!! Which has me considering not placing my original order. Like Luke says, “Grow Big Or Go Home”. Blessings from NC🍅
I was wondering about the variety. All I know is I like fig Newtons!
There are three main fig flavor profiles -- sugar, berry, and honey -- with some having a combination of those flavors. Sugar figs are probably what's in a Fig Newton.
I have one tree that has giant dark brown figs that get bugs which turn it into vinegar. I get a couple of giant amazing figs before the tiny bugs climb into the fig opening. Also air layering figs are easy and cheap way to share with friends or get more trees to fill in them blanks spots in your fig orchard. I have made a bunch of celeste figs for people. Btw those have tighter holes so no bugs. Do you notice any of yours with openings that invite bugs? I wanna get another variety but I don't want the vinegar fig type that probably would do great in California but not so good in Florida.
Yeah there are definitely some differences in the 'eye' size on some of the varieties. The brown turkey is pretty open, which means you have to pick them early before the bugs get them.
I love, love, love Pamona’s Pectin, it’s the only type I use anymore. I had problems getting jams and jellies to set using other pectins but now they set every time. Even plum! And plum is a booger to get to set! I even bought Pamona’s book on preserving. I’m not related, affiliated, or anything else by them, it’s just my experience. Love your channel! 🥰👍🏻 P.S. add some orange juice or zest to your fig jam/preserves- the flavor is outstanding!
Thanks for the tip! I think we're sold on just using the Pamona's Pectin now too!
I noticed the drip tape you running any kind of fertilizer to them to help them along? My wife and I are trying to decide whether to plant ours in the ground or keep them in a pot. We have two Olympia figs that we just purchased. We are about 3 hours north of you. Thanks for your time and your videos we always enjoy!
Living in zone 6B, I'm a bit apprehensive about growing fig trees. I doubt they would have survived last winter's arctic blast, but most of our winters are milder than when I was a kid. There are some varieties that are somewhat cold hardy, including Brown Turkey, so I might have to give them a try.... with fingers crossed.
It's worth a try for just a couple trees. Might learn some tricks to keeping them through the winter.
I used to live in 6b and saw the most gorgeous huge fig tree! Here in Texas, our figs took a beating last winter with that deep freeze. I trimmed them all back and they sent out new growth. Although I didn't get any fruit last summer, they are alive and well. Knowing what I know now I'd probably wrap them in frost cloth.
Thank You Travis For Shout Out ! 1,030 lbs Of figs so far…. We Enjoy watching this video and impress. How u pronounced Chackbay…. Hope Your Fans Check Out FloraBama Homestead TH-cam Channel
Hope they do too! They did a great job showing your place.
Mrs. Linda I love seeing all your pictures
@@dawnlamblambkinfarm6938 Thank You !
Thankyou for this tutorial, I had no idea about all these varieties, and flavor profiles..
My pleasure 😊
Try Smith, white Madeira #1, I 258, Col ne dame (sp?)
And it’s great to be a fig farmer!! I’m going to join you in a more dry climate in Texas!
E.njoyed the video, didn't know there was such a variety of figs! You might want to check with Pete Kanaris of Green Dreams, he may have some varieties that you do not have, he is in Spring Hill, Florida and ships!
Thanks for the lead!
If you really like the Black Malta, I would say get a few more of those along with whatever other ones you get. Being outside of Chicago, I think the only fig tree that might have a chance around here is the Chicago fig. I did make raspberry jam for the 1st time this year. That turned out well. Actually came out closer to raspberry preserves. I don't know how much natural pectin figs have but that seems like a lot of sugar for that Sure Gel brand.
Yeah I didn't think about the natural sugars of the fruit as a factor. Good point!
My corn cob jelly comes out darker with Pomona’s.
Good to know it's consistently darker with the Pomona's.
Just tried the Pomona’s for the first time last week for low sugar peach & jalapeño jam! Worked beautifully with fantastic consistency. NOT disappointed at all. So glad to have a less sugar option for jellies and jams! Going to make JamacianMeCrazy Jam this weekend 🥭 🍓
I like that idea! We need to try it for some pepper jelly soon too!
My favorite jam!! I've never had to use any gelling agent. I just cook it down for a while and it's nice and thick.
Nice!
Sounds delicious!!
Me too. Figs are plenty sweet
Thank you for the info. I will have to try the new pectin.
Hope you like it!
I have Violette de Bourdeaux in a pot, the first few figs on it have been purple skin with dark red inside, I really liked the flavor. I think it falls on your berry end of things. I understand the tree is a smaller grower.
Yeah ours didn't do much the first year, but really started to grow fast lately. The figs are much smaller than some of the other varieties we have, but tasty!
They should be much bigger next year. It is a complex Bordeaux berry flavor and it seems like you will probably really like them
Great great video, I enjoyed learning so much about Figs. I have never ate a fresh fig before. I think the closest I ever got was a fig newton. Im grow a baby fig tree this year and I cant wait to try them whenever I get some on the tree (probably wont be this year) Im hoping this Chicago Hardy produces a berry flavored type.
Fresh figs are 100x better than a fig newton!
@@LazyDogFarm LOL I imagine they are, I cant wait to find out
👏👏👏again great complete guide love it. Cant wait to try
Thanks for watching Miriam!
Great post/Beautiful fig trees!
Travis not sure what type fig we have but our three trees are lush and have large dark green beautiful leaf/
they produce small delicious figs/by fall of year they stand about eight feet tall.
But by first frost they don't just become dormant they die off to ground level and the process start all over again
come Spring. This is very disheartening to say the least. I wish we had fig (trees) but I guess we got fig bush.
Have any idea what variety fig we're dealing with here? North Miss is my grow zone. TY & take care yourself.
Don't rush the healing process that greenhouse can wait a few more!
James 5:7-20
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient.
Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
No idea what variety that could be -- there are hundreds of varieties out there. That stinks that they die back so much. Might consider a blanket on those real cold nights.
If you pinch off the tips of every branch early your figs will start developing fruit fast and you will get ripe figs before the frost. I live in 6B it works for me.
@@lidiyaagne8381 TY
Love the varieties you have! Great informative video. ❤️
Thanks for watching!
If it keeps raining, you better start growing gills.
Time to dig the scuba flippers out the attic. lol
That was interesting Travis. I made fig preserves this week myself. I don't know what variety tree mom has but I would guess between Sugar and Berry on your chart.
Could very well be a Brown Turkey. That seems to be the one most folks have.
Really good information here! This year I bought an Italian Honey Fig from Stark Bros. I've been hardening it off, but I think I'll follow your lead and put it in a large pot until maybe next year and then plant it out. Brooklyn! Is that calcium in the Pomona's Pectin calcium chloride? That's what Ball Pickle Crisp is. I do a lot of home cheese making and use it to make and store liquid calcium chloride in the fridge (I add it to pasturized milk to make it form a firmer curd). I think your Sure Gel fig jam is darker because there is more sugar in it - more sugar seems to make your end product more translucent. And Travis! Thank you and your Dad for teaching me to grow sweet corn! I harvested today and used Brooklyn's recipe for freezing. I got 50 out of about 110 ears done so far, and 10 meal-sized packs in the freezer!
Not sure on the calcium, but that would make sense. Great to hear about your corn! Congrats on a bountiful harvest!
Very nice video and informative ,but I'm almost certain that the first tree that you called brown turkey is actually celeste. Just my opinion. Thanks again for your video.
I've often wondered that myself. The leaves look more like a Brown Turkey to me. But this tree doesn't produce two crops of figs like Brown Turkey is said to do. It just produces one main crop in the late spring and that's it.
How do you keep the crows out of your trees??? I have a terrible time getting a fig, the dang crows get them all, and since I still work, not much I have been able to do about it.
All I can say is they better enjoy it while it last... I've got a .410 with their name carved on the side., and pretty soon I'll come calling.
I'm kinda like you, I just started planting them, and giving them a try, and just kept planting, and looked up one day and had a bunch of trees... somewhere around 20 or so, although I have fewer varieties than you... I did root a bunch of mine, and somehow managed to get them to go.
We have been using Pomona's Pectin for a while now... it takes some getting used to, but we all need to cut sugar from our lives to the extent possible... so we are just adapting as best we can... it's for the best.
Hey don't be laughing about the front yard... I ran out of room and planted I think 11 trees in the front yard... 4 pears, 2 pomegranate 2 Lemon 3 Mulberry I think that's all there is... at the moment... but I just parked two apple trees on the edge of the deck (they were a gift), so I gotta find them a home. It's getting kinda hard to mow... glad I have a zero turn! Our house is completely surrounded by fruit trees of one variety or another. Peaches, Plums, Oranges, Figs and out in the field we have a bunch of Pecan, and Walnut Trees. Even a fair number of Chinquapin trees, I do be loving me some Chinquapin nuts... if you know what that is.
I had a conference with the crows several years ago. We each shared our reasons for enjoying the figs, but were able to come to a mutual agreement. They get the ones at the top, and they don't touch the ones within arms reach. I've yet to have any violations of the above mentioned agreement.
Any updates on favorite flavors by the end of the 2021 fig season?
Lots of good ones -- Black Malta, Olympian, Ge Neri, LSU Tiger, and Conadria are probably our favorites right now. But they're all good!
We have the Chicago hardy fig trees. It turns purple and has a red inside. Not sure if berry or sugar?🤷♀️ it is sweet
Chicago Hardy is considered a berry fig from what I understand.
On typical year, the average yearly low where I live is about 0F, and in the past decade, the coldest temperature was about -10F. I know some people grow figs here but not sure how many varieties can be left in the ground over the winter.
Yeah I would think negative temps would zap them for good. They can take some light freezing, but that would be rough on them.
@@LazyDogFarm ok so looking into it, seems people here either grow them in pots they bring indoors for the winter, or they bend the limbs down to the ground and bury them in soil to insulate them over the winter. Obviously that means we can't grow huge trees like yours but maybe the small ones can still yield ok?