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Olympian Fig

Olympian Fig

$148.85 USD
$179.51 USD $148.85 USD
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The Olympian Fig is a cold-hardy variety known for its sweet, honey-like fruit, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in cooler climates. Its compact size, early harvests, and adaptability make it perfect for both smaller gardens and container growing.

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Meet the Olympian Fig: Your Hardy, Heavy-Fruiting Backyard Champion

A friendly introduction to a truly remarkable fruit tree, perfect for home gardeners of all levels.

Imagine stepping into your own backyard to harvest handfuls of large, luscious figs, their purple-blushed skin yielding to a rich, strawberry-red interior. With the Olympian Fig (Ficus carica 'Olympian'), this delicious dream is well within reach. Discovered in Olympia, Washington, this award-winning variety has quickly become a favorite for its exceptional cold hardiness, vigorous growth, and generous crops of irresistibly sweet fruit.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener looking for a reliable producer or a family eager to grow your own healthy treats, the Olympian Fig is a rewarding choice that will grace your garden with its beautiful foliage and bountiful harvests for years to come.

Why You'll Love the Olympian Fig

  • Remarkably Cold Hardy: A true champion of resilience, the Olympian Fig is renowned for its ability to withstand colder temperatures than many other varieties. It's a reliable choice for gardeners in USDA Zones 6-10. In cooler zones, it may die back to the ground in harsh winters, only to spring back with vigor from the roots and still produce a crop the following summer.
  • Abundant Harvests, Twice a Year: Get ready for a long and fruitful season! The Olympian is known for producing two crops of figs. The first, known as the "breba" crop, develops on the previous year's wood and ripens in early to mid-summer. The main crop follows on new growth, ripening from late summer into the fall, ensuring a steady supply of delicious figs.
  • Large, Delectable Fruit: These aren't your average figs. Olympian figs are impressively large with a beautiful violet-hued skin that often features attractive green striping. The flesh is a striking red, with a rich, sweet flavor that has been compared to a blend of fig and raspberry, with hints of maple syrup and peach. The texture is delightfully jammy, perfect for eating fresh from the tree, drying, or using in your favorite recipes.
  • Beginner-Friendly & Self-Fertile: No need for a second tree for pollination! The Olympian Fig is self-fertile, making it an easy and efficient choice for any garden. Its vigorous nature and adaptability also make it a forgiving variety for those new to growing fruit trees.

Your Guide to Growing a Thriving Olympian Fig

The Olympian Fig is a relatively low-maintenance tree that will reward you with impressive growth and fruit production when its basic needs are met.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

  • Zones: Best suited for USDA Zones 6-10. In Zone 6, it's advisable to provide winter protection, such as a heavy layer of mulch around the base, or to grow it in a container that can be moved to a sheltered location.
  • Sunlight: For the sweetest figs and most robust growth, plant your Olympian Fig in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. A south-facing spot is ideal.
  • Soil: Well-drained soil is key to a happy fig tree. They are adaptable to various soil types but will perform best in a loamy, fertile soil with a neutral pH. If you have heavy clay soil, amend it with compost to improve drainage.
  • Container Growing: Don't have a large garden space? No problem! The Olympian Fig thrives in large containers (a half-whiskey barrel size is a great long-term option). This is also an excellent strategy for gardeners in colder climates, as it allows you to move the tree into a garage or unheated basement for winter protection. Ensure any container has ample drainage holes.

Care Tips for a Bountiful Harvest:

  • Watering: Water your newly planted fig tree regularly to help it establish a strong root system. Once established, fig trees are quite drought-tolerant. However, for the best fruit production, provide consistent moisture, especially during the hot summer months and when the fruit is developing.
  • Fertilizing: Feed your Olympian Fig with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in the early spring as new growth emerges. A second feeding in mid-summer can be beneficial, especially for container-grown trees.
  • Pruning: Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve air circulation. You can also prune to maintain a desired size and shape, which is particularly useful for container-grown or smaller-space gardens.

Production Timeline:

One of the most exciting aspects of the Olympian Fig is its eagerness to produce. You can expect your young tree to begin bearing fruit within 1-2 years of planting. The yield will increase each year as the tree matures, with a well-established tree providing a very generous harvest.

Protecting Your Precious Harvest

The Olympian Fig is a robust and generally healthy tree. However, here are a few things to watch for:

  • Pests: While relatively pest-resistant, keep an eye out for common garden pests like aphids and spider mites. These can usually be managed with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap. Birds are often the biggest fans of ripening figs; if they become a problem, draping your tree with bird netting is an effective solution.
  • Diseases: Good air circulation through proper pruning is the best defense against fungal diseases. Fig Mosaic Virus, which can cause mottled leaves, is common in many fig varieties but is largely cosmetic and doesn't typically affect the fruit or overall health of the tree.

The Perfect Fruit Tree for Families and Hobby Growers

The Olympian Fig is more than just a plant; it's an experience. It's the joy of watching the large, lobed leaves unfurl in the spring, the satisfaction of seeing the first tiny figs appear, and the sweet reward of a sun-warmed, perfectly ripe fruit picked right from the branch. Its hardiness and productivity make it a reliable choice that will build a gardener's confidence. For families, it's a wonderful way to teach children about where their food comes from and to create lasting memories of summer harvests.

Bring home an Olympian Fig today and start your own tradition of homegrown, heavenly sweet figs!

Growning Zone 6-10
Uses Fresh Eating, Canning / Preserves
Harvest Period Moderate
Low Chill Yes
Pollination Requirement Self-Fertile
Recommended Spacing 8-10 ft.
Mature Size 8-10 ft.

Growing Zones: 7-11 outdoors

For a thriving Olympian Fig, consistency is key with watering. Check the soil every few days by poking your finger two inches deep; if it's dry, it's time for a thorough, deep watering to saturate the roots. Pay extra attention during fruit development to prevent fruit drop, but note that slightly less water right at ripening can sweeten the harvest. If your fig is in a container, it will dry out much faster, so check it more frequently, especially in warm weather.

Fertilizing is simple: feed your fig once in the early spring as new growth appears. A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) is perfect. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which will give you lots of leaves but very little fruit. For potted figs, a slow-release formula or a half-strength liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season works wonders. Amending the soil with compost is also a fantastic organic option for a gentle nutrient boost.

The best time to prune your Olympian is in late winter or early spring while it's still dormant. The primary goal is to create an open, sunny structure, as figs produce fruit on new wood. For the first couple of years, select three to four strong, well-spaced branches to form the main framework of your tree, removing any weak or crossing limbs.

For mature trees, your annual pruning should focus on maintaining this shape and encouraging fresh growth. Start by cutting out any dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Then, thin out the canopy to improve airflow and allow sunlight to reach the ripening fruit. Don't hesitate to cut branches back by about a third to control the tree's size, making it easier to manage and harvest. Remember to wear gloves, as the milky sap can be a skin irritant.

The Olympian is famously cold-hardy, but a little winter protection goes a long way, especially in colder climates. After the tree drops its leaves, insulate the roots of in-ground trees by applying a thick layer of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the base. In very cold regions (Zone 6 or below), consider wrapping the tree in burlap or a frost blanket for added security against harsh winds and freezing temperatures.

If your Olympian Fig is in a pot, the easiest solution is to move it into a sheltered, unheated space like a garage or basement for the winter. It will be dormant and won't need light, but check it monthly to give it just enough water to keep the roots from drying out completely. In spring, once the threat of frost has passed, gradually reintroduce it to the outdoors over a week or two to prevent shock.

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