5 Olympian Fig Tree Starter Plants – Cold Hardy Sweet Purple Fig Fruit Trees, Bare Root

Overview

Embark on a rewarding gardening journey with these Olympian fig tree starter plants. This offering includes five robust bare root plants of the highly acclaimed ‘Olympian’ fig variety, celebrated for its exceptional cold hardiness and delectable fruit. The Olympian fig tree starter plants are perfect for home gardeners seeking a reliable and productive fruit tree. These trees are renowned for their sweet, purple-skinned figs with a vibrant red to violet flesh, making them a standout addition to any edible landscape. Grown from bare root, these young trees establish quickly and promise years of bountiful harvests. The ‘Olympian’ fig has even won the Retailers’ Choice Award at the 2014 FarWest Show, a testament to its superior qualities and performance in diverse climates.

Fig trees, scientifically known as Ficus carica, are ancient fruit-bearing plants that have been cultivated for thousands of years. The ‘Olympian’ variety is particularly noted for its ability to withstand colder temperatures, thriving where many other fig varieties struggle. These cold hardy fig tree specimens are self-pollinating, meaning you only need one tree to produce fruit, making them an excellent choice for smaller gardens or those new to fig cultivation. Prepare to enjoy fresh, organic figs directly from your garden with these easy-to-grow starter plants.

Key Benefits

Investing in Olympian fig tree starter plants offers numerous advantages for the home gardener. These plants are not only productive but also add an attractive, Mediterranean touch to your outdoor space. Here are some of the key benefits you can expect:

• Exceptional Cold Hardiness: The ‘Olympian’ fig is celebrated for its impressive ability to withstand colder climates, proven hardy even in the Pacific Northwest down to USDA Zone 6. This makes it a reliable choice for gardeners in regions with chilly winters, extending the possibility of growing fresh figs.
• Delicious Sweet Fruit: Enjoy a continuous supply of incredibly sweet, juicy figs with thin purple skin and a luscious red to violet flesh. These figs are perfect for fresh eating, baking, jams, or drying, offering a versatile culinary delight.
• Reliable & Self-Pollinating: These Olympian fig tree starter plants are highly reliable producers and are self-pollinating, eliminating the need for multiple trees or specific pollinators to ensure a harvest. This makes cultivation straightforward and rewarding.
• Award-Winning Variety: Recognized with the Retailers’ Choice Award at the 2014 FarWest Show, the ‘Olympian’ fig is a proven performer, ensuring you receive a high-quality and desirable fruit tree.
• Adaptable Growth: These fig trees can reach a mature height of 4-8 feet, making them suitable for various garden sizes. They adapt well to both full sun and partial sun exposures, offering flexibility in planting location.
• Organic & Healthy Produce: By growing your own sweet purple fig trees, you can ensure your fruit is organic and free from unwanted chemicals, providing a healthy and sustainable food source for your family.
• Bare Root Advantage: Shipping as bare root plants allows for easier handling and transplanting, promoting vigorous root growth once planted in your garden. This method often leads to quicker establishment and stronger plants.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Olympian fig tree starter plants is relatively straightforward, making them an excellent choice for both experienced and novice gardeners. These cold hardy fig tree varieties thrive with proper attention to their environmental needs. When planting your bare root fig trees, choose a location that receives ample sunlight. Fig trees generally prefer full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, but the ‘Olympian’ can also tolerate partial sun. Ensure the soil is well-draining, as figs do not like to sit in waterlogged conditions. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and fertility. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the roots spread out, and plant the bare root fig tree so the crown is at or slightly above the soil line.

Watering is crucial for newly planted Olympian fig tree starter plants. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy during the first growing season to encourage strong root development. Once established, fig trees are relatively drought-tolerant, but regular watering during dry spells, especially when fruit is developing, will promote better yields and juicier figs. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer, or use a slow-release granular product. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to lush foliage at the expense of fruit production. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches, and shape the tree to maintain an open structure for good air circulation and light penetration. Protect young trees in colder zones during their first winter with mulch around the base or by wrapping the trunk.

Size & Details

These Olympian fig tree starter plants are shipped as bare root specimens, typically measuring between 6-12 inches in length. Once established, they are known for their moderate growth rate, eventually reaching a mature height of 4-8 feet and a similar spread, depending on pruning and growing conditions. The ‘Olympian’ fig is a deciduous tree, losing its leaves in winter and leafing out again in spring. It begins producing its distinctive sweet purple fig fruits in late summer to early fall. The plant is rated for USDA Hardiness Zones 6-10, showcasing its excellent cold tolerance. These bare root plants are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive in optimal condition, ready for planting directly into your garden or a suitable container.

Expect the trees to begin showing new growth within a few weeks of planting, given adequate water and sunlight. While they may produce a small amount of fruit in their first year, significant harvests typically begin in the second or third year. The fruit is medium-sized, with a thin, attractive purple skin and a rich, red to violet interior that is incredibly flavorful. These self-pollinating fig trees offer a convenient and rewarding gardening experience, providing fresh, homegrown fruit for many years.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these Olympian fig tree starter plants get? A: These fig trees typically grow to a mature height of 4-8 feet tall and can have a similar spread, depending on growing conditions and pruning. They are a manageable size for most home gardens.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The ‘Olympian’ fig is primarily an outdoor plant, especially known for its cold hardy fig tree characteristics, thriving in USDA Zones 6-10. In colder climates, it can be grown in a large container and brought indoors during winter.
• Q: How much sunlight do these fig trees need? A: These fig trees prefer full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, for optimal fruit production. They can also tolerate partial sun, but fruit yields may be slightly lower.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the ‘Olympian’ fig is considered relatively easy to care for, especially due to its cold hardiness and self-pollinating nature. Basic care involves proper watering, well-draining soil, and occasional pruning.
• Q: What condition will the bare root fig arrive in? A: The bare root fig plants will arrive dormant, without leaves or soil, carefully packaged to protect their roots during transit. This is a normal and healthy state for bare root stock, ready for planting.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Olympian fig tree starter plants? A: The best time to plant bare root fig trees is in early spring, after the last frost, when the soil has warmed up. This allows the plant ample time to establish its root system before the heat of summer.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The ‘Olympian’ fig is known for being a cold hardy fig tree, proven to survive winters in USDA Zone 6 and warmer. In Zone 6, some winter protection like mulching may be beneficial for younger plants.
• Q: How long until it produces sweet purple fig fruit? A: While some fruit may appear in the first year, significant harvests of the delicious sweet purple fig typically begin in the second or third year after planting, as the tree matures and establishes.
• Q: Are these self-pollinating fig trees? A: Yes, the ‘Olympian’ fig is a self-pollinating variety, meaning you only need one tree to produce fruit. You don’t need a second fig tree or specific pollinator insects for a successful harvest.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for these fig trees? A: Fig trees prefer well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Amending with organic matter helps improve soil structure and fertility, which is crucial for healthy growth of your Olympian fig tree starter plants.