Chicago Hardy Fig Tree

Chicago Hardy Fig Tree

Chicago Hardy Fig is one of the most prolific figs to grow in cold areas of the northern U.S. The fall fruits are born on the new canes that grow during the summer, a plant with four new stem growths can produce up to 150 purplish brown figs. The figs are of excellent flavor. Often referred to as a Mt. Etna type fig, Chicago Hardy has become one of the most reliable varieties for cold climate growers.

One of the easiest fruits to grow, and a true gourmet delight, you should not live your life without feasting on this sweet, delectable fruit. To fully enjoy fresh Figs you must grow your own. When fully ripe and at their tender, shipping them long distances is virtually impossible. Another plus for Figs – deer don’t like them (most of the time)!

Click here to read our Fig Growing Guide!

Latin Name: Ficus carica
Site and Soil: Figs do well in a variety of soils, but require at least 8 hours of sunlight during the growing season.
Pollination Requirements: Self-fruitful.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 10-12 ft. in height, smaller with pruning.
Taste: Sweet
Fruit Skin: Purplish-brown
Fruit Flesh: Pink to strawberry red flesh
Bloom Time: Flowers are not noticeable as they are inside the fig.
Ripening Time: July and September.
Yield: 30-50 lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Figs are not bothered by pests in our region. Cover plants with netting if birds are a problem.
Fig Mosaic Virus is a benign virus that exists in all cultivated fig trees. Yellow spotting of the leaves is a cosmetic symptom that shows more in container culture, but is quickly outgrown once trees are planted in the ground. The presence of FMV in all cultivated figs has become widely accepted, as even the national germplasm repository for figs maintained by the USDA has Fig Mosaic Virus. If the presence of FMV is a concern, then purchasing fig trees may not be the best option for you.
USDA Zone: 6-10