10 Olympian Fig Tree Starter Plugs – Cold Hardy Sweet Purple Fruit Live Plant – Zone 6-10

Overview

Transform your garden into a productive oasis with these 10 Olympian fig tree starter plugs. The Olympian fig is a highly sought-after variety renowned for its impressive cold hardiness, making it a reliable choice for gardeners in cooler climates, particularly those in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. These bare root fig plants are an excellent way to establish a thriving fig collection, promising abundant harvests of exceptionally sweet, purple-skinned fruit with a rich red to violet flesh. Originating from a selection that won the Retailers’ Choice Award at the 2014 FarWest Show, the ‘Olympian’ fig truly lives up to its name, offering a superior growing experience and delicious results for any home gardener looking for a cold hardy fig plant.

Each order includes 10 Olympian fig tree starter plugs, providing a fantastic foundation for a small orchard or multiple planting locations. These young plants, shipped bare root, are ready to be transplanted into your garden or larger pots, allowing you to cultivate your own supply of fresh figs. The Olympian fig variety is also self-pollinating, simplifying the growing process and ensuring fruit production even if you only plant one tree. This makes it a perfect choice for both novice and experienced growers eager to enjoy homegrown figs.

Key Benefits

Choosing the Olympian fig for your garden brings a multitude of advantages, from its robust nature to its delectable fruit. These benefits make the Olympian fig tree starter plugs an outstanding addition to any edible landscape:

• Exceptional Cold Hardiness: Proven to be ultra cold hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 6-10, the Olympian fig can withstand colder temperatures than many other fig varieties, expanding the regions where fresh figs can be successfully grown. This resilience ensures a more reliable harvest year after year.

• Delicious Sweet Purple Fruit: Enjoy a bounty of very sweet figs with thin, attractive purple skin and a luscious red to violet flesh. These high-quality fruits are perfect for fresh eating, jams, preserves, or drying, offering a versatile culinary delight from your own garden.

• Reliable and Productive: Known for its reliability, the Olympian fig consistently produces a generous crop of fruit. Its vigorous growth and robust nature mean you can expect a steady supply of delicious figs once mature, making it a truly rewarding plant.

• Self-Pollinating: This variety is self-fertile, meaning a single plant can produce fruit without the need for another fig tree for pollination. This simplifies cultivation and ensures fruit set, even in smaller gardens where space for multiple trees might be limited.

• Award-Winning Variety: The ‘Olympian’ fig earned the prestigious Retailers’ Choice Award at the 2014 FarWest Show, a testament to its superior qualities and desirability among growers and consumers alike. This recognition highlights its outstanding performance and delicious fruit.

• Versatile Garden Addition: Growing to a manageable height of 4-8 feet, this fig tree can be grown as a large shrub or small tree, fitting well into various garden designs. It can also be successfully grown in large containers, allowing for portability and protection in colder climates.

• Organic Growing Potential: As these are starter plants, you have full control over their cultivation from the beginning, making it easy to grow them organically and ensure your figs are free from unwanted chemicals. This is a significant advantage for those seeking a sweet purple fig tree for healthy eating.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Cultivating a healthy and productive Olympian fig tree starter plugs involves understanding their basic needs. These plants are relatively low-maintenance once established, making them a great choice for various gardening skill levels. Proper siting and care will ensure your fig trees flourish and yield abundant fruit.

Sunlight Requirements: Olympian fig trees thrive in full sun, meaning they need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. While they can tolerate partial sun, especially in very hot climates, optimal fruit production and plant vigor are achieved with ample sunshine. Choose a location in your garden that receives consistent direct light throughout the day. Watering and Soil: Figs prefer consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Water deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells and when the fruit is developing. Well-draining soil is crucial to prevent root rot; a loamy, rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter can significantly improve drainage. Temperature and Hardiness: The Olympian fig is notably cold hardy, suitable for USDA Zones 6-10. In Zone 6, some winter protection might be beneficial, especially for young plants. Figs can tolerate light frosts, but prolonged freezing temperatures can damage branches. If growing in a container in colder zones, consider moving it indoors or to a protected area during winter.

Fertilization and Pruning: Fertilize your fig tree for home garden with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can promote leafy growth at the expense of fruit production. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches, and shape the tree to encourage good air circulation and light penetration. This helps improve fruit quality and overall plant health. For more detailed guidance, search for Olympian fig care guides specific to your region.

Size & Details

These 10 Olympian fig tree starter plugs are shipped as bare root plants, meaning they arrive without soil or a pot, ready for immediate planting. This method ensures efficient shipping and allows the plant to adapt quickly to its new environment. Upon planting, these starter plugs will begin to establish their root systems and grow into robust fig trees. The Olympian fig typically reaches a mature height of 4-8 feet, making it a versatile choice for various garden sizes and styles. It can be maintained as a large shrub or trained into a small tree, depending on your preference and pruning practices. Expect a moderate growth rate, with fruit production generally beginning within 2-3 years of planting. The mature size allows for easy harvesting of the delicious figs.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big will my Olympian fig tree get? A: The Olympian fig tree starter plugs typically grow to a mature height of 4-8 feet. Its spread can be similar, depending on whether it’s pruned as a tree or a multi-stemmed shrub. This manageable size makes it suitable for many home gardens.

• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Olympian fig is primarily an outdoor plant, especially given its cold-hardy nature for USDA Zones 6-10. However, it can be grown in large containers and brought indoors or into a protected area during winter in colder climates to provide a cold hardy fig plant solution.

• Q: How much sunlight does the Olympian fig need? A: For optimal growth and fruit production, your sweet purple fig tree requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate partial sun, but fruit yield may be reduced.

• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Olympian fig is considered relatively easy to care for once established. It requires consistent watering, well-draining soil, and adequate sunlight. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages better fruit production.

• Q: What condition will the starter plugs arrive in? A: Your order of 10 Olympian fig tree starter plugs will arrive bare root, meaning they are shipped without soil or a pot. This is a common and effective method for shipping young, dormant plants, ensuring they are ready for planting upon arrival.

• Q: When is the best time to plant these fig starter plugs? A: The best time to plant bare root fig starter plugs is in early spring, after the last threat of frost, or in early fall in milder climates. This allows the plant to establish its root system before extreme temperatures set in. Refer to Olympian fig care guidelines for specific regional advice.

• Q: Will these fig trees survive winter in my zone? A: The Olympian fig is known for its excellent cold hardiness and is suitable for USDA Zones 6-10. If you are in Zone 6, providing some winter protection, such as mulching or wrapping, can help ensure its survival during harsh winters.

• Q: How long until the fig tree produces fruit? A: Typically, the Olympian fig tree starter plugs will begin to produce fruit within 2-3 years after planting, once the plant has had sufficient time to establish itself and grow. Yields will increase as the tree matures.

• Q: Are these figs organic? A: The starter plugs themselves are not certified organic, but by growing them in your home garden, you have complete control over the cultivation practices. You can choose to grow your fig tree for home garden using organic methods to ensure your fruit is organic.

• Q: Do I need more than one fig tree for fruit production? A: No, the Olympian fig is a self-pollinating variety, meaning you only need one plant to produce fruit. This makes it an ideal choice for smaller gardens or for those who wish to grow just one sweet purple fig tree.