GROWING BEAUTIFUL FIGS
IN YOUR GARDEN
One of the oldest fruits recorded in cultivation, domestic figs (Ficus carica) have a long and honored history. Fig trees add a wonderful tradition and history to any garden. They are a wonderful fruit for families looking to continue the traditions and memories of past generations and are the fruit plant most often given as gifts. Traditionally, a fig tree is given as a gift to bring prosperity for a newly married couple or to celebrate a new home.
Figs are a very ancient fruit. The Babylonians cultivated figs at least 2000 years ago. The goddess Demeter was said to have revealed the fruit of autumn (fig) to the Greeks and figs were sacred throughout the ancient Middle East and Mediterranean countries. Mohammed is said to have declared the fig to be the fruit he would most want in Paradise. The Roman writer, Pliny, identified 29 kinds of figs and praised their health powers, saying: "Figs are restorative. They increase the strength of young people, preserve the elderly in better health and make them look young with fewer wrinkles."
Sounds like some good reasons to grow figs!
Just follow the basic instructions below and don't get complicated.
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PLANTING AND SITE SELECTION
Fig trees, generally propagated as rooted cuttings, have been handed down as heirlooms through many generations of families. The figs common to the Eastern US - those varieties we propagate - do not require pollination, so in a small garden one fig tree will provide a delicious crop of figs all on its own.
Figs enjoy lots of sunlight and in all areas except the most southern states (where everything appreciates a bit of shade), will ripen better fruit in a warm, sunny location. Plan to provide at least 2/3 day sun - in hot areas of the country, afternoon shade may be welcome. The amount of sunlight needed to ripen a tasty fig crop is proportional to how far north you are - farther north, figs need more sun! Figs are hardy from Zone 7-8 southward and have been grown much farther north with a warm microclimate, like next to a south-facing brick wall.
Although figs are not invasive, a well grown fig tree will develop a sturdy root system. To encourage good root growth (remembering that this system is what will eventually support your tree and your fruit crops), please make sure that you plant your tree in a well-dug, deep and wide hole. If the roots of the fig have filled its previous pot, gently pull out any circling roots and spread the roots out when you place the tree into the new hole or container. Water the tree in well after planting and add 2-3" of mulch over the existing and future root area, leaving a space between the mulch and the trunk to discourage rodents and other pests.
In the north, many fig trees are grown as container plants that are moved to a protected location during the winter months. For more information, see the webpage on Container Growing Figs.
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IRRIGATION AND MULCHING
In hot and dry areas, figs do well on drip irrigation. We don't recommend overhead irrigation - it's generally too little for a tree this productive and keeping damp foliage encourages fig rust and other fungi.
Give your tree about 6 - 8" of mulch for the summer top keep the underlying soil moist and cool. Make sure that your trees do not dry out, especially when developing fruit. Drought stress is the usual cause for fig fruit drop. This said, well established, older figs are famous for surviving in hot and dry areas. In North Carolina and Virginia coastal areas, it is not unusual to see large fig trees growing close to the dune lines. Their roots have developed enough depth to keep them moist.
Allow your fig tree to drop its leaves in the fall. If unripe figs are still on the stems, removing those figs will help prevent diseases - they will not ripen over the winter. Clean all dropped leaves and figs from around the tree to make sure that the area is free from insects and disease that might overwinter in the dropped debris.
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