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Fig Trees: Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Figs | The Old Farmer's Almanac

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Figs

Photo Credit
Pixabay
Botanical Name
Ficus carica
Plant Type
Fruit
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil pH
Slightly Acidic to Neutral
Bloom Time
Spring
Hardiness Zone
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
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Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Figs

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Figs are a delicious treat that thrive in warm climates but can also be grown in more temperate regions with a bit of extra care. Here’s how to grow a fig tree in your garden!

About Figs

Figs thrive in areas with long and hot summers (Zones 8 and warmer), though they can also be grown in colder zones if properly insulated from freezing temperatures or grown in containers and brought indoors.

The common fig tree (Ficus carica) is the most popular species of fig for home gardeners because its flowers do not require pollination to yield figs. Many varieties of the common fig tree exist, including hardy cultivars that can be grown outdoors in slightly cooler climates (Zones 6 and 7). Other species of figs either do not produce edible fruit or have very specific pollination requirements (such as needing to be pollinated by a certain type of wasp), making them too much trouble for home gardeners to grow.

Figs can be eaten fresh from the tree, preserved, or used in cooking. Note that figs do not continue ripening after they are picked, so be sure to harvest at the right time!

Planting

Planting Fig Trees

  • Figs can be planted outdoors without much trouble in USDA Zone 8 and warmer. In zones where winter temperatures get colder than 10°F (-12°C) for periods of time, be sure to choose a hardy fig variety. Some winter protection may also be required. Alternatively, figs can be grown in large containers and brought inside for the winter.
  • Plant fig trees outdoors in the early spring or late fall, when the tree is dormant.
  • For container fig trees, grow them in a soil-based potting mix and add fine bark chips to improve drainage. Keep the tree in full sun in the summer. Be sure to add a high-nitrogen fertilizer every 4 weeks in the spring and summer and water the tree moderately. In the winter, move the tree indoors and keep the soil moist.
  • For outdoor fig trees, plant the tree in the spring or early fall in full sun. Fig trees can grow in most types of soil as long as the soil is well-drained and contains plenty of organic material. (Learn more about organic soil amendments.) 
  • Space fig trees at least 20 feet away from any buildings or other trees.
  • Fig trees put down deep roots if given the chance, so bear that in mind when choosing a planting spot.
  • To plant container-grown trees in the ground:
    1. Remove the plant from its pot and remove any circling roots by laying the root ball on its side and using shears to cut through the roots.
    2. Dig a hole that is a few inches deeper and wider than the spread of the roots. Set the tree on top of a small mound of soil in the middle of the hole. Be sure to spread the roots away from the trunk without excessively bending them.
    3. Plant the tree 2 to 4 inches deeper than it was originally in the pot (check the color of the trunk to see the original soil line).

Fig tree

Growing

Caring for Fig Trees

  • Water young fig trees regularly to help them become established. In areas with dry climates, water fig trees deeply at least once a week. 
  • Unless grown in containers, most fig trees do not require regular fertilization. However, if your fig tree is not growing much (less than 12 inches in one growing season), you can add 1/2 to 1 pound of nitrogen supplement. Divide up the nitrogen into 3 to 4 feedings. Start applying the nitrogen in late winter and end in midsummer.
  • You can also apply a layer of mulch around the tree to help prevent weeds and keep in moisture for the roots.
  • Fig trees require little pruning. During the dormant season, be sure to remove all dead, diseased, or weak branches to encourage growth.
  • If you have an abundant growth of figs, you can thin the fruit to encourage larger figs.
  • In colder regions, bring container-grown fig trees indoors for the winter. Keep the soil moist.
  • If your area experiences a particularly cold winter, fig trees planted outdoors may die back to the ground. If the tree is of a hardy variety, the below-ground part of the tree will likely be unaffected. Remove all dead wood while the tree is still dormant and watch for new growth in the spring. 
Recommended Varieties
  • ‘Brown Turkey’, which produces abundant medium to large figs. This type works best in warm climates, but is fairly tolerant of cooler temperatures, too.
  • ‘Celeste’ produces small, sweet, purplish figs. It is one of the more winter-hardy varieties.
  • ‘Hardy Chicago’ is a winter-hardy variety that produces purple, medium-size figs.
  • ‘King’ is well adapted for the cooler conditions found in the northwest. It produces medium figs that are sweet and rich in flavor.
  • ‘Kadota’, which vigorously produces small to medium fruit. Its figs are rich and sweet, and it is the most commonly canned fig.
Harvesting

Harvesting Figs

  • You should harvest figs only when they are fully ripe, as they will not continue to ripen off the tree. The figs should be fully colored and slightly soft to the touch.
  • You may need to invest in bird netting to protect your crop; figs are a favorite of birds and squirrels.
  • When picking figs, wear gloves or long sleeves because the sap from the fig tree can irritate your skin.
  • Figs are very perishable. Store figs in the refrigerator; they will keep for 2 to 3 days.
  • For long-term storage, you can freeze figs whole for later use. Another storage method is to dry the figs. You can also can your own figs.
Wit and Wisdom
  • Figs are an excellent source of potassium, dietary fiber, and calcium.
  • “You can’t grow figs from thistles.”
Pests/Diseases
  • Root-knot nematodes
  • Leaf spots
  • Rust
  • Thrips
  • Twig dieback
Recipes
Figs Stuffed With Gorgonzola and Prosciutto
Open-Face Pear-Fig Pie
Figs

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Comments

Fred (not verified)

4 months 3 weeks ago

All my fig trees were getting to tall and spreading over my neighbors yard. I pruned all my fig trees last winter. This spring they all looked really good. The largest tree really had an abundant crop. Before the figs ripened, on the largest tree, all the leaves started turning yellow and falling off. The tree now appears to be dead. The others are doing well. Is there any way to get the tree to revive next spring or should I just dig it up?

Lillie (not verified)

4 months 3 weeks ago

How long does it take before I can expect to see fruit on my fig tree? I planted it in a container this spring and it is growing very well outside. Will it produce figs the first year?

Janis (not verified)

4 months 3 weeks ago

I live in northern Illinois. The Hardy Chicago fig over winters here, zone 5.

Skip Michael (not verified)

6 months 2 weeks ago

A friend gave me a fig tree that came from the Area north of Venice, Italy - south of lake Como. It is appropriately 4 yrs old. I live near the barrier reef islands in Cape May County, NJ. The tree is growing well in it’s 3rd year on our property. 2 questions, 1) is there any way to determine the variety of Fig Tree, 2) when would I expect blossoms if it would produce figs?

Thanks, Skip Michael

Peggy Hill (not verified)

7 months 4 weeks ago

I grew up in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, we did not have a fig tree but what my mother called a Fig bush. It grew more like a bush and not a tree. I used to sit on the ground beside the fig bush and pick the figs and eat them they were so sweet and good. I would love to find one that I could grow. I live in Kentucky now and people here tell me there is no such thing as a fig bush but I know there is. Could you possibly tell me the name an where I could get one.
Thank you