"Fig"uring it out...

I discovered (maybe) three years ago, that figs can be grown on a small scale in Ontario. It started with the garden flyer from President's Choice and a quick visit to their website, where I saw a little video on "Chicago" hardy figs. I have mixed feelings about Loblaws and PC, but more often then not I'm excited when their garden centres open-up. They certainly seem to have an eye for unique garden introductions and the latest gardening trend by the tail. I did some more research and found people all across zone 5 and colder, who grow some amazing figs!

They offer the "Chicago" hardy fig. This cultivar has a unique history in that Italian immigrants brought the first plants to Chicago and bred for hardiness. They are a medium sized plant with dark purple fruit, with a sweet sticky pink-orange centre. They aren't exactly "hardy" per-say but they can be grown in pots outdoors and moved indoors after the first frost.

"Fig Jam" on Etsy

Their are dozens of fig varieties, and many different colours and forms with each its own distinct flavor. I think I'll start with 2-3 plants to see how large they can get. My hope is to expand to 4 varieties. One fig I have my eye on is the Panache "Tiger", a variety that grows large varigated striped fruits. There is also the "Jolly Tiger" that varigates in both the foliage and fruit. (I love varigated fruits and vegetables)

Panache "Tiger" Fig. You can see the contrasting stripes on each fruit.

 Right now my "fig space" looks like it's going to be a low raised bed with a symmetrical placement of patio stones. Between the stones a carpet of creeping thyme will be planted to act as both mulch and pollinator attraction (not to mention beautiful). There will be 8 patio stones, so I can start adding dwarf citrus, and pomegranates to the mix during the summer months depending on the spacing and growth.

"Les Figs" on Etsy

2014 will be an interesting season for the garden because of the introduction of tropical fruits, exotic herbs and increased infrastructure. With the chickens established, I'm excited to concentrate on more of the garden next season. Below is a design for my fig garden area, you might also notice hops, but that's another story.

Farm to School Workshop at Everdale Farm

On Thursday, November 14th, I attended the Farm to School Workshop at Everdale Farm in Hillsburg Ontario. The workshop was organized by the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public health and developed in part with the Upper Grand District School Board and the Wellington Catholic District School Board.

This was an amazing workshop, and I look-forward to attending in the spring 2014. I'm a bit of a stray-pup when it comes to joining the champions of local food, school policy change, curriculum developers and farm directors, but it's nice to see what happening around me. In this field, I sometimes find myself floating around being rejected based on my age and experience, but I came away from the workshop both deeply inspired and rejuvenated. The speakers were excellent and each participant had a great deal to add. The room was buzzing with positivity, ideas, sharing and praise.

Everdale Farm was an excellent host, unlike any other conference venue. We picked carrots on a hillside, we played in a greenhouse, caught chickens and fed gorgeous calico sheep in the pasture. If that isn't a physical metaphor for bringing the humanity back into the culture of food production and consumption, I don't know what else is. We can't all be farmers, but we can all take a step to observe and appreciate the hard work and efforts of those who are.

I brought my camera with me, so I could share my experience. Enjoy!
(Click the photos to enlarge)