E287 - Ep. 246 From Ancient Crop to Modern Gardens: The Fascinating Story of Figs | #GoodGrowing
Published: April 3, 2026
Duration: 1:00:32
Can you really grow edible figs in Illinois—or anywhere in the Midwest? In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Wahle to dig deep into one of humanity’s oldest cultivated fruits: the fig (Ficus carica).
From ancient history to modern backyards, we explore how figs grow, where they originated, and why cold‑hardy varieties like Chicago Hardy and Brown Turkey make figs possible even in colder climates. You’ll learn what makes figs so unique botanically, why the “fruit” is actually a modified stem, and ho...