Annette.... Growing fig trees is probably one of the easiest, and most delicious things you could do. Decide whether in ground, or containerized. Decide on location. (Full-sun, and heat, is good) Figs grow/develop on new wood, so prune if you must to control growth. Read postings on this forum about when/where to prune, and pinch new growth. The winter will be your problem. If containerized, and heavy...buy a dolly @ Home Depot and roll the plant(s) around. Read postings on winter storage/dormancy. Buying a twig/small, rooted-cuttings is a waste of time. Get a bearing-age tree, and you'll have fruit this year. Check your local garden centers for good trees. Twigs die out if not grown perfectly, and in the long run, you'll get more bang for the buck by starting off with a larger plant. I grow my 6 foot tall, single-stem trees in large storage tubs (with drainage holes), and all branches are grown at the top of the long bare trunks. I roll the trees around on dollies. This saves the back, and I'm hernia free. If you can store the trees (containerized) in an unheated garage or dark, cool, storage shed you'll probably solve your winter problems. Buy a short-season fig variety. If at a bearing age, and growing vigorously, pinch back new growth to 6 leaves on each branch for earlier ripening of main-crop figs. You'll be chowin' down on figs by September, or earlier! Seriously, this forum is the only place to get good, solid, up-to-date, fig-growing information. If you are going to buy figs through the mail, stay away, no...run away! from Ty-Ty, and Willis Orchards. Why?...search this forum. Also, west-coast nurseries are known for selling fig trees with mosaic virus. I learned the hard way. I personally have grown only one short-season variety called "Atreano"...which makes a very large, golden-yellow fig that's really sweet... if, ripened correctly. Do a search for this excellent, smaller-growing fig variety. It's a good start. Deer might not be a problem, but birds could be! Hope this helps you decide what to do. Read everything about growing figs on this forum, then decide how you will want to grow the tree(s)...then, go shopping. It's fun, and you'll be hooked. We were all normal once. : ) : ) BronxFigs

The photo in the Park's catalogue, which is suppose to represent the Petite Negra fig, is from a French source. It does not represent the Petite Negra fig at all. Some time ago, I called Park and Wayside (owned by the same company)to talk to their horticulturist. Not surprized, I spoke to the same guy for both sources. I could not get a clear answer on the picture thing and was told to call back for more info. Me thinks the photo of the Petite Negra figs is really that of Violette Sollies. For all the years Park has been selling the Petite Negra, you would think they would have a photo representing the actual product. I also believe the name of "Petite Negra" is a play on the true variety known as "Petite Negri". Maybe the name change and the stock photo have something to do with copyrights from other nurseries who originated the Petite Negri?

Sal, I truly love figs. My wife thinks I'm crazy because I am always reading the forums and other links about figs. I want to cover my pool next year and place more figs on my deck but the wife says no. So, I'm having to tend and care for others in pots and in the ground. Girlbug2, I'm no potting fig expert but thanks for the compliment....I just learned from experience and advise from others on this forum. I do make my own soil mixture depending on the type of pot I use. I use 3 types, Superpots (1.5, 3 & 5 gallon size), normal 3 & 5 gallon plastic pots, and 20 and 30 gallon tubs. I have a fast draining soil mixture but I can not use it in my superpots. Here down South we have a bag of soil conditioner call Nature's Helper. It's also called clay buster. It's mostly pine bark fines about the size of a dime. I use this stuff with Lou's soil mixture. Lou's mix has sand but I substitue turface for the sand and it works great. And I don't have sheep's manure, I use horse manure or cow manure. I'm trying to get my friend who works for a local nursery to raise some rabbits and sell me the manure. So far he's thinking about it! For my super pots, I just use half MG half BX Pro mix. MG hold more moisture and keeps me from watering every 3 days. The superpots allow more air to the roots so the 2 balance out well. I also keep an eye on my figs and test the soil with a pH tester and moisture meter. If small leaves start dropping or leaves start turning yellow, your tree is talking to you and you have to find out what's happening. like I said, I've learned from experience and like a doctor start giving the tree a check up. And keep your trees on a fertilizer schedule. Figs in my area start getting ripe around July and August. I have several MVS Black fig trees and look forward to making plenty of jam this year. :) Dennis

I had started to respond to Leon's comment at work, but got tied up and couldn't finish. I had started to recall seeing a bumper sticker on a car which said "Keep honking, I'm still reloading." I had started to laugh when I remembered I was in Texas, and there might be some truth to that. When I was in college, one of my jobs was taking pictures for the Real Estate Book. While it was extremely rare, more than once I had a rifle-toting homeowner come out the front door while I was taking a picture. One learns to be as clear as possible about one's visit to a stranger's property. Having said that... I've met Yadda and Mountainman. I can't really see either of them sneaking onto someone's property to snag a cutting. Guns or no guns. ~james