We have figs! Only 3, but it's a start.

As a person in growing zone 7, I love my seasons and the changes the environment goes through . . but also whenever I see someone posting homegrown figs, pomegranates, or citrus, I YEARN. They're so cute and green, op!

Ok, @gargelyfloof118 that's a pretty fair question/point. Here's what I've learned. By making SO MANY mistakes lol!

Number 1, Nurseries (and Stark is a pretty decent one!) exist to sell plants. They have an incentive to describe their plants in the best light possible. If it will survive at all in Zone 7, they tell you Zone 7.

Number 2, My "Zone 7" was considered solidly Zone 6 until the latest update of the USDA zone maps. Given how unstable everything has been, I feel like flip-flopping between harsher and milder winters is still highly likely to happen, so I wouldn't want to plant a tree that requires milder winters until I'm more certain of the long-term weather patterns.

Number 3, In my Appalachian area, microclimates are a Big Deal. Like, this is a half-ass map of what my little valley might look like if you 'zoomed in' on a growing zone map

Also, this county is in a 'rain shadow' of the mountains to the west . . so we get less rainfall than any other county in Maryland and there is actual cactus growing wild on certain sites. Not something you'd expect on the east coast, but - microclimates!

Number 4, In talking to other orchard folks, it seems like it's not just me; fruit and nut trees that are advertised as "hardy" will often survive in the lowest growing zone they're rated for - but they don't thrive and bear fruit. This has applied to "hardy" apricots, pecans, etc that family and friends have tried to grow. My rule of thumb is that I won't buy anything for permaculture unless it's rated to grow at least one zone higher/lower than mine. So, at Zone 7, I'd try a northern species that rated to go as far south as Zone 8, or a southern species that's rated to grow as far north as Zone 6 - just to be extra-careful.

If I were really good at growing things and had the time and experience to "baby" certain plants, wrap them up in the winter, irrigate carefully, etc - I'd probably be able to have a wider range of orchard trees. I'm way too forgetful and overextended for babying plants and trees though (shaking my head ruefully).

We have figs! Only 3, but it's a start.

As a person in growing zone 7, I love my seasons and the changes the environment goes through . . but also whenever I see someone posting homegrown figs, pomegranates, or citrus, I YEARN. They're so cute and green, op!

I pretty much only eat these fresh or make pies out of them. So if you have any recepies you like, I'd love to hear about them.

If you have a juicer or a sufficiently powerful blender to puree them completely smooth, you can add sugar and make a berry syrup that is delicious on pancakes, pound cake, ice cream, yogurt, and added to clear soda. I don't have a recipe, per se, but I can give you a rough idea.

If they have some tartness:

equal parts fruit juice and sugar by measure.

boil until it has thickened up 'enough' to be syruppy. I'm sorry I don't have more precise language, but I just do it by vibes.

voilà, you have sticky, purple, delicious fruit syrup!

If they are sweet but not tart, do the same as above but add a sploosh of lemon juice so it doesn't turn out insipidly sweet.

Never had so many currants on a single bush before. Hoping it won't be too much for the plant, because I'm not strong enough to thin them.

Really shouldn't leave ^That in the notes LOL

Just look at them. I am yearning!