( " who is getting good crops from in ground Figs in z 7a ? ")
Well Yes ? / and no .?
To be clear, I think I am in 6b
But yes, many years I get good ( ? ) crops.
Certainly worth having around.
From manly one variety , I have named cannon ball.
Link here-
In general over the last 10 yrs~ it has often produced good crops .
In ground , outside , no protection.
Especially after those mild winters.
When it gets down to around the single digits it may freeze to the ground.
Still it will produce some Figs that year, more if the shoots are thinned. And tops pinched, fruit thinned early so that the remaining Figs ripen
This is as stated in the link above a mount Ettna type , may be hardy Chicago , was found at the 3rd oldest house in Charlestown Wv.
What makes me think it is not hardy Chicago , is that I had some small 1 yr plants of C.B. and some H.C. In pots side by side ,barely covered with mulch last winter . HC froze , died, --CB lived.
I am at about 1000 ft. Elevation hill top ,defiantly warmer than the valley below.
Usually I don’t cover /protect, but may start.
In fact I put a row in my high tunnel. And have them trained like the Japanese system just last year . Laying flat , covered with row covers and card board. This coming year will be the first real test of this.
I have the cordons established and Side Spurs This method looks to be the way to go. So easy to cover.!
Going to do another planting out side in ground like this soon.
So
Yes, good crops of in ground Figs , most years
Defiantly worth keeping around