A Guide to Growing Figs
Growing figs makes for a terrific hobby, but the real fun is harvesting this tasty fruit! The fig is often associated with “Southern” culture, and with good reason. Figs grow best in warmer areas; however this tree can grow as far north as Virginia. A fig tree doesn’t only have to be for harvest, although why let this delicious fruit go to waste? Fig trees can add a beautiful and unique touch to just about any landscaping theme, which makes them even more of a garden asset.
If you are considering growing figs yourself, there are a few things you should consider before jumping out and buying fig tree planting supplies. First, you need to consider whether you live in an appropriate area to grow figs. This tree is largely grown in warm areas, such as the Mediterranean. This is largely why they are seen as “Southern” plants in the United States—because the southernmost states can provide the type of climate that fig trees thrive in. The best way to tell whether you have a good shot of meeting the temperature needs of a fig tree is to go by the “USDA Zone” guide. Zones eight and up are the only zones in which a fig tree will grow and actually produce fruit. It can grow in other zones, but it probably won’t bear any fruit.
Fig trees also need a great deal of sunlight in order to produce fruit. We’re talking a minimum of eight hours of sunlight every day. In warm areas (such as the states in the far south of the US), the fig tree can be grown in either partial shade or full sun, but the further north you grow, the more direct sunlight the tree will need to compensate for the cooler temperatures. When in doubt, choose the sunniest area possible.
The fig tree is not very picky when it comes to soil, so you are probably safe in those regards. The area in which it is planted does need to have good drainage, though. Soil that allows water to pool around the roots or soil that retains moisture too well could cause the roots to rot. Also, if the soil is too moist the fruit can actually split. The area in which your plant your fig tree should also accommodate its size. The average size for a fig tree is anywhere from 15 to 20 feet in height, but you can get a truer estimate by doing a little research on the species of fig tree you intend to plant. Experienced fig tree growers often recommend that the tree be planted near a southern-facing wall of a house, as this tree is great for espaliering (training a plant or tree to grow against something such as a wall or lattice work).
You can plant a fig tree either from a seed or from a clipping taken from a mature fig tree. If you are planting from a clipping, go ahead and plant it directly into the ground where it will permanently reside. If you are planting from a seed, it might be a good idea to “get it started” indoors where it can be grown in a seed tray. To do this, simply fill the tray with a bit of moist sphagnum moss and place the fig seed on top of the moss. Keep the moss moist (but not sopping wet). After a few weeks the seedling should have developed a few leaves. When it has about four leaves, you can go ahead and transplant it into the ground where it will grow permanently. Seedlings should be planted in the early spring, a few inches down into the ground. If you are planting more than one fig tree, be sure to space the seedlings apart by at least 15 to 20 feet. This will ensure that they have room to flourish without growing on top of each other.
General maintenance includes ensuring that the tree receives about an inch of water each week and only very light pruning. Pruning should be skipped altogether during the fig tree’s first year of growth, and only lightly the year after. Apply about six inches of mulch to the soil in the late summer to protect the tree’s roots in the autumn and winter.
Don’t feel anxious if your tree doesn’t produce fruit right away. In most cases, it can take anywhere from three to five years for a fig tree to bear its first fruit. The figs should be harvested as soon as they are ripe. If the figs refuse to ripen or drop from the tree before they are ripe, then you are probably over-fertilizing the plant. Fig trees really do not need a lot of fertilizer.
Growing figs really isn’t a difficult task as long as you can provide an adequate growing environment. Best of luck!