Middle Tennessee Zone 7 Hardy Fig Trees

Climate

• Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 8 through 10, figs reward gardeners with delicious fruit and minimal care. The hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters of Mediterranean climates are ideal for fruitful figs. Middle Tennessee's USDA zone 7 winters afford some challenges. Cold injury threatens fig production and survival. Sudden, extreme shifts from warm to cold cause damage even at higher temperatures. Although container growing presents a viable option, so does growing figs in the ground. With thorough winter protection, hardy cultivars withstand Tennessee winters, although some dieback still occurs.

Climate Considerations

• For productive figs in mid-Tennessee, buy cultivars specifically recommended for the southeast United States. Some figs suitable for other parts of the country require cross-pollination by tiny insects. These insects don't live in Tennessee. However, self-fruiting cultivars don't need pollinators to set fruit. These are well suited to this region. Success in Tennessee requires cultivars that bear fruit on new wood. Even with protection, figs usually die to the ground each winter and come back as stemmed shrubs. Cultivars must also ripen in the shorter growing season Tennessee affords.

Culture

• In middle Tennessee, figs need protected sites with southern exposure and eight hours of full sun and heat. Sites near buildings create warmer microclimates, and sunny, south-facing walls can host espaliered figs. Good soil drainage is essential. Plant in early spring while figs are dormant, after danger of hard freezes is past. For maximum protection, plant your tree 3 to 4 inches deeper than the soil surface. Never amend soil or apply fertilizer when planting in Tennessee. More vigorous growth makes the tree more susceptible to winter damage. Survival increases when trees are fully dormant by the time cold temperatures arrive. In fall, reduce watering to help harden the tree for winter, and mulch heavily to protect its shallow roots.

Hardy Cultivars

• Stick to cultivars with proven hardiness when growing in Tennessee. "Brown Turkey" (Ficus carica "Brown Turkey"), sometimes called "Eastern Brown Turkey," bears bountifully even when frozen to the ground in winter. Without protection, it's hardy in USDA zone 8a and warmer. "Magnolia" (Ficus carica "Magnolia"), hardy to USDA zone 7b, provides good fruit for preserves. "Celeste" (Ficus carica "Celeste") boasts excellent cold hardiness and is reliable in USDA zone 7a. Acclaimed for that hardiness, it bears high quality, short-season fruit and is often marketed as the Tennessee mountain fig.