In the video, Ross the Fig Boss discusses a fig tree-growing experiment that takes place in a carefully chosen plot on the north side of a property in Philadelphia's Zone 7A. Ross selected this plot specifically because it has sandy loam soil, which differs from the heavy clay found elsewhere on the property. This particular soil composition has proven to be beneficial for the fig trees, making them more resilient against winter damage and facilitating their growth.
Over the past couple of years, a taste test was conducted, revealing that the figs from Ross's plot on the North side of the property had a distinctive and enjoyable earthy and mineral flavor, attributed to its dry soil conditions. This unique taste added to the appeal of the figs grown in this specific location.
Later in the video, Ross emphasizes the importance of understanding microclimates and identifying optimal planting locations. He uses the example of how thermal dynamic heating from nearby concrete and blacktop can impact the plants. By considering such factors, gardeners can make informed decisions and maximize the success of their plantings.
Introduction (00:00): The video discusses a hardiness experiment involving fig trees. They were planted in a carefully selected plot with well-draining soil on the north side of a property located in Philadelphia's Zone 7A.
Soil's Role (00:35): Explaining the advantages of well-draining soil for fig trees. It helps with better lignification and minimizes winter damage.
Unique Soil Composition (01:07): Ross points out that the plot, previously occupied by a shade tree, has a distinct soil composition—sandy loam—unlike the heavy clay found in the rest of the property.
Fruit Quality (02:47): Dry soil contributes to improved fig fruit quality. A taste test revealed last year that the figs from this plot had an unusual and enjoyable earthy and mineral flavor.
Microclimate Consideration (04:31): The importance of understanding microclimates and selecting optimal planting locations is suggested. The video provides an example of thermal dynamic heating from nearby concrete and blacktop.
Survival & Hardiness (05:03): A comparison is drawn between multiple Campaniere fig trees—one flourishing and the others just surviving—to highlight the significance of proper location and microclimate.
Alright fig lovers, this is Ross the Fig Boss. In today's video I really wanted to show you guys
this plot of fig trees that I have on the north side of my property. I'm growing here in the
Philadelphia area and I carefully have selected this part of my property to plant fig trees in
as a hardiness experiment. I figured this plot here would have the best chance of getting my
fig trees to survive. Even though I am in a zone 7a and you can see great success growing fig trees
of hardier varieties in the ground here, I figured this plot, because it has such a well-draining
soil, because the soil really doesn't stay wet for very long, this would be the perfect place
to plant them. And the reason for that is because they lignify just so darn well. If a fig is going
to grow throughout the season all wintertime, or excuse me, all summertime and even into the fall
and really not stop growing and get hit by that first frost, you're going to have a much harder
time and you're going to see a lot more damage on your fig tree in the winter. So one of the things
I had noticed is that this plot used to have a big shade tree planted here and it got hit by
lightning twice. So we took it out and maybe you could say it was a bit of a curse tree.
And so instead, when I started thinking about what I was going to plant here, I realized that the soil
is very different, very different composition than anywhere else in the yard, and that it was more of
a sandy loam rather than the heavy clay that we have here pretty much everywhere else. I don't
know if the tree did that over time. I don't know if it's maybe because of some development that
happened when we built the house here. It doesn't matter. What I found is that it's really hard to
keep the soil here moist. And again, because of that, the trees basically in the summer will stop
growing and then when they stop growing, they lignify in time in preparation for the winter.
And now, as an example, this Campanaria tree here has survived the winter now for three seasons.
This is its third season since basically it's been doing its thing and it's actually now in
its third year it's going to produce roughly around 250 probably 300 figs. The fruits are also
way ahead, I would argue, than most of the other varieties in the property by probably a few days.
So maybe I'll end up getting this tree here to fruit roughly a week ahead of some of the other
trees. Maybe I'll get fruits off of this by the end of July. Wouldn't that be great? And what's
also really nice about this dry soil here is actually it helps the quality of the fruits
improve significantly. Last year I did a tasting with some friends, invited some people over,
people who actually are really into figs, people who have no idea about figs,
and we all gave a rating and basically said what was our favorite fig that day.
We had 20 plus different varieties. My favorite fig of the day was actually the Campanaria and
normally I wouldn't say that but coming out of this plot here it was incredibly well ripened
and also because of this dry soil the quality was higher and I even picked up what I would
describe as an earthy flavor and there was like a minerality to this fig that brought this fig
to a whole other level that I'm not even used to. Right next to it was another favorite fig
by my friend Romeo. That's a fig called Sicilian Dart which is a hardy Chicago fig. His favorite
fig that day was a hardy Chicago or at least one of his favorites that day. I think actually it
was somebody else, not Romeo, but somebody else had said that was their favorite which is amazing
because normally and what we know about that variety is it's not really the tastiest fig
because I have it planted here in this drier soil it brings that flavor to a whole other level that
excess water basically whatever the fig tree doesn't need is stored in the fruits. The fig is
in a way kind of like a cactus and so it stores the water in the branches, the trunks, the leaves,
and then of course even in the fruits so you don't want to give the fig any more water than it needs
to be happy and healthy. This plot just does a fantastic job of getting my figs basically
through the winter, getting a higher fruit quality, and so this is kind of a video on
you know just talking about your microclimates and figuring out where things should be planted
and shouldn't be planted. This is out in the open and I'd rather have them against the house. There
is some blacktop here and concrete from the the driveway that we have, the parking lot that we
have, so there is some of that thermodynamic heating but as an example just we'll end with
this is that this Campanaria although it survived here for three seasons there's another one right
there right next to it that's just now finally surviving. This is its first winter that it made
it through and hopefully will eventually form a structure maybe similar to this. The trees are
very close together and so maybe that's not a good idea but the other three Campanaria trees I have
in the property on the west side of the house actually they're not doing well in terms of their
hardiness. One I managed to bend it over cover it with wood chips this year so I protected it
and it got through the winter and it's going to fruit and it's going to form a nice structure there
but if you can't get them through the winter time in that first season I've learned
you're not really going to have great results and you may even think that a variety like Campanaria
that's supposed to be very hardy is actually not when indeed it is just you have to find the right
location for it plant it in the right spot the right microclimate the right soil and that just
makes the world different so there it is guys thanks for watching this one if you enjoyed it
please hit that subscribe button for me hit that like button for me check out the blog
figboss.com see you guys for the next one take care
