Want to grow figs but live somewhere with cold winters? Our passion is growing figs in cold climates. We help cold-climate fig lovers grow a fig tree in a pot, grow figs in the ground, and, most importantly, conquer winter. There are many ways of growing figs in cold climates. Find out how you can successfully grow figs in your garden. Learn about fig-tree care. And get creative ideas for winter protection. Host Steven Biggs is a cold-climate fig expert, horticulturist, and the author of the award-winning book Grow Figs Where You Think You Can’t, the first book specifically about cold-climate fig culture. As a horticultural journalist, he interviews other fig experts, and writes about cold-climate fig culture for magazines and for his own blog at FoodGardenLife.com. His fig fetish began in 1993, when he spent a summer at the nursery with the UK National Collection of figs. He hasn’t looked back.
Fig Culture: Helping You Grow a Fig Tree in a Cold Climate
Claim This Podcastby Steven Biggs: Horticulturist and fig tree expert.
Podcast Overview
Want to grow figs but live somewhere with cold winters? Our passion is growing figs in cold climates. We help cold-climate fig lovers grow a fig tree in a pot, grow figs in the ground, and, most importantly, conquer winter. There are many ways of growing figs in cold climates. Find out how you can successfully grow figs in your garden. Learn about fig-tree care. And get creative ideas for winter protection. Host Steven Biggs is a cold-climate fig expert, horticulturist, and the author of the award-winning book Grow Figs Where You Think You Can’t, the first book specifically about cold-climate fig culture. As a horticultural journalist, he interviews other fig experts, and writes about cold-climate fig culture for magazines and for his own blog at FoodGardenLife.com. His fig fetish began in 1993, when he spent a summer at the nursery with the UK National Collection of figs. He hasn’t looked back.
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Publishing Since
1/30/2026
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Recent Episodes
July 10, 2026
The Fig Tree Beyond the Fruit
<p> A much-expanded edition of Grow Figs Where You Think You Can’t is coming this summer. For sneak peeks and updates, and to be the first to know when it’s available, <a href="https://foodgardenlife.ck.page/e777ffe7e5">click here</a>. <br>---</p><br><p>Most fig growers are focused on the fruit. Fair enough. </p><p>But in this episode, we look at the rest of the fig tree: the leaves, sap, dried leaves, infused vinegars, tinctures, pantry blends, and even prunings.</p><p>Steven talks with Penelope Beaudrow, a registered herbalist at <a href="https://www.richters.com/">Richters Herbs</a>, about figs from an herbalist’s point of view. They talk about fig leaf tea, the coconut-vanilla-green flavour of fig leaves, traditional uses of fig sap, figs as a fibre-rich food, and ways to dry and preserve fig leaves for later use.</p><p>For cold-climate fig growers, there’s also a useful shift in perspective: even if a fig dies back in winter, it can still be valuable as a leaf crop. Not every fig-growing story needs to end with a basket of ripe figs. Sometimes the leaves are the harvest. </p><p>In this episode:</p><ul><li>Fig leaf tea and what it tastes like</li><li>How herbalists think about leaves, tinctures, and vinegars</li><li>Using fig leaves in the kitchen</li><li>Drying fig leaves for winter</li><li>Fig leaf salts, sugars, and spice blends</li><li>Traditional uses of fig sap and why caution matters</li><li>Fresh and dried figs as food</li><li>Thinking of figs as a cold-climate leaf crop</li><li>A short visit to the fig benches at Richters Herbs</li></ul><p><br>Fig sap can irritate the skin in some people. And before using figs, fig leaves, or any plant medicinally, it’s always wise to consult a qualified health professional. </p> <br><p> A much-expanded edition of Grow Figs Where You Think You Can’t is coming this summer. For sneak peeks and updates, and to be the first to know when it’s available, <a href="https://foodgardenlife.ck.page/e777ffe7e5">click here</a>. </p>
June 24, 2026
A Collector’s Mindset: Figs, Family, and 250-Plus Varieties with Bobby Ghaheri
<p><a href="https://www.foodgardenlife.com/fig-culture-newsletter"><strong>Click here</strong></a> to get the free Fig Culture newsletter for fig-growing tips and ideas. Especially for climates where figs don't normally thrive.<br>- - -</p><br><p>Fig collecting starts innocently enough. A tree for the yard. A cutting from a friend. Maybe a variety with a good story. Then, suddenly, there are shelves in the garage and rows of pots on drip irrigation.</p><p><br>In this episode, I’m joined by fig enthusiast Bobby Ghaheri of Oregon City, Oregon, known online as Figologist. Bobby grows a large collection of fig varieties in the Pacific Northwest, where ripening time, breba crops, microclimate, and sunlight all matter.</p><p><br>We talk about how a visit from Bobby’s fig-loving father helped start the collection, the Iranian family figs that became part of his story, and how the fig community pulled him deeper into the world of cuttings, trades, propagation, and variety trials.</p><p><br>Bobby also shares practical lessons for newer fig growers: why not every fig belongs in the ground, why breba crops deserve more respect, how he manages potted figs with drip irrigation, and why it pays to think two years ahead before turning your garage into a fig nursery.</p><p><br>In this episode:</p><ul><li>How Bobby went from a few family figs to 250-plus varieties</li><li>Growing figs in the Pacific Northwest</li><li>Why breba figs can be valuable in cool climates</li><li>Choosing varieties that ripen in your conditions</li><li>Potted figs, drip irrigation, and practical setup details</li><li>Managing fungus gnats and other indoor propagation pests</li><li>FigBid, FigFanatic, and the collector’s chase</li><li>Why the fig community matters</li><li>Bobby’s advice for new fig growers</li></ul><p>Connect with Bobby:</p><ul><li>YouTube: @figologist</li><li>FigFanatic.com handle: Figologist</li></ul> <br><p>- - -<br><a href="https://www.foodgardenlife.com/fig-culture-newsletter"><strong>Click here</strong></a> to get the free Fig Culture newsletter for fig-growing tips and ideas. Especially for climates where figs don't normally thrive. </p>
June 11, 2026
Growing Figs Indoors: Lights, Heat, and Container Care
<p><a href="https://www.foodgardenlife.com/fig-culture-newsletter"><strong>Click here</strong></a> to get the free Fig Culture newsletter for fig-growing tips and ideas. Especially for climates where figs don't normally thrive.<br>- - -</p><br><p>Texas fig enthusiast Eddie Sleem didn’t set out to grow figs indoors. It started with an Angelito fig tree, a Texas storm, and one plant that stayed inside while another went outdoors.</p><p>The indoor tree grew faster, set figs sooner, and launched Eddie into a full-blown indoor fig-growing experiment.</p><p>In this episode, Eddie talks about growing figs inside the house, with tips on grow lights, air circulation, watering, soil, and fertilizer. He explains why light and heat are so important, how indoor pests are different from outdoor pests, and why he thinks long-season fig varieties are especially exciting for indoor growing.</p><p><br>We talk about:</p><ul><li>Why a Texas fig grower started growing figs indoors</li><li>Eddie’s first indoor Angelito fig</li><li>Grow lights, side lighting, and light intensity</li><li>Heat and how a few degrees can change ripening</li><li>Soil aeration for potted indoor figs</li><li>Fertilizing figs that are growing almost continuously</li><li>Pest management indoors</li><li>Watering actively growing container figs</li><li>Choosing containers and managing space</li><li>Grow tents, open rooms, and domestic negotiations</li><li>Air movement, humidity, and air quality</li><li>Eddie’s favourite varieties, including Black Madeira, Pakistan Mulberry, Angelito, and Cosme Mano</li><li>What Eddie wishes he knew earlier: prune your trees and aerate your soil</li></ul><p>You can find Eddie on YouTube at <strong>Figgy Ed</strong>.</p> <br><p>- - -<br><a href="https://www.foodgardenlife.com/fig-culture-newsletter"><strong>Click here</strong></a> to get the free Fig Culture newsletter for fig-growing tips and ideas. Especially for climates where figs don't normally thrive. </p>
12 total episodes available
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