I received an interesting tip while visiting with someone with years of fig growing experience in zone 5/6 (a small micro-climate on his property probably pushes it to zone 6). Extending the growing season is our goal so that figs get an earlier start in the spring and if possible, push the season a bit in the fall so fruit will ripen. He discovered a technique by accident that is worth examining. If I remember correctly, he covered up some figs with a blue tarp (the basic polyethylene blue tarp found at your local hardware store) to protect them from a spring frost and forgot about one of them on one part of the property. He discovered a few weeks later that the fig(s) underneath had not only survived the freeze but had completely leafed out. The leaves had also 'hardened' off - when the tarp was removed, the sunlight did not burn them. He has since refined this technique a bit. Apparently something about the wavelength of light that came through this color of tarp was enough to harden off the leaves. He recommended trying this technique to wake up figs in the ground or in pots. One must make a frame of sorts to support the tarp and it is critical that it be sealed around the edges or else the cold air will get in. He also said that when it was getting below freezing, he would put a kerosene heater inside just to make sure the tender new leaves were not damaged. This technique is only to be used in the early spring forward and for possibly extending the season a bit. Since the tarp is thin, it will not hold heat very well and will likely only provide an additional 10 degrees or so of warmth - with added heat of course for the cold nights. Normal winter protection measures should be employed otherwise. I have not experimented with it yet but will try it out next season.

this might sound odd to you but a little secret that i was told by someone was to put a dap ofolive oil on the eye of the fig. within about a week it will be ripen. it has worked for me. i do this in the late summer here in toronto.

Well I wasn't the only one watching for results from oiling. One of the two lone figs on my Jack's QP was apparently responding rapidly, was almost 3 inches across an just starting to turn color when a critter decided it was ripe enough (even though it wasn't ripe yet the insides that were left had turned a medium light red), also got to my Conadria. Luckily I was able to get a couple from the Batatglia SV untouched, not quite as sweet as earlier but still tasty. One of the oiled figs on my Magnolia is swelling and turning color, hope it stays untouched until I can try it. Still have had no response From the Alma or any others. With the weather they are forecasting ( low 40's at night and 50 to 60 days)I have probably seen the last of the figs for this year, time to hit the Jordanian market and stock up on Turkish figs to stave off withdrawal symptoms. Seems like a long time until my "children" will once again provide me with the joys of summer. Woody.

My Celeste tree started setting fruit in mid June, and to my surprise I am picking ripe ones the past 3 days. In past years it has been late autumn before I got ripe fruit - one year into November (it can stay in the 50-60 range that late, often, even after first frosts). I am guessing that is because it has been unusually hot this summer - many more 90F degree days than has been typical - and I keep it in full sun on the blacktop driveway in front of the garage - lots of heat. (The pot doesn't sit on the blacktop, it is on a tray to help keep up with water and that is on a wheeled dolly) This one didn't come out of garage hibernation with brebas like it did last year, perhaps that also made a difference?