Growing Figs in Zone 7
Every growing region has advantages and disadvantages when it come to growing fruit. Gardeners complain about clay and sand in their soil, intense heat or too many cold days. Finding fruit that succeeds is a challenge. One fruit that we have had success with is Figs, Ficus carica. The plants are beautiful with huge leaves on 8-foot tall stems. The fruit can be eaten fresh, used for jam, canned in syrup and baked into treats. Figs are ancient plants from the Middle East and since they are semi-tropical, they pose a challenge to grow in colder zones. Growing them in a container that can be brought in for the winter would work. It took three tries to find the right planting situation for ours to thrive outside. Cold hardy to zone 8, the tall branches die to the ground most winters in zone 7. If you are on Honor Heights Drive in Muskogee you may see Fig shrubs thriving in microclimates. One, in particular, is surrounded by two buildings and a concrete wall, pr...