#Fig plant how to
#Fig plant full

They won’t ripen once they’re picked from the tree and unripe figs aren’t very tasty. Other less frequent potential diseases include:įigs are ready to harvest and eat when the fruit has softened.

Be sure when purchasing a new fig tree that it doesn’t already have this problem by examining the roots before transplanting it into the ground or container.Īlthough too much water can drown a fig tree’s shallow growing roots, regular watering and mulching can keep the tree healthy. The most common issue for fig trees may be root-knot nematodes. While fig trees don’t have many natural enemies, they can develop some problems. Dry roots can lead to premature fruit drop. Mulching with straw or grass clippings can help keep the roots moist. Regular watering during the growing season is imperative. The roots of a fig tree tend to grow close to the surface of the soil. Your fig probably won’t bear fruit until the second or third year, so this early pruning provides a strong head start.Īfter the tree is established, it should be pruned in late winter each year, just before it comes out of dormancy.įeed your fig tree with one pound (0.5 kg.) for each year of the tree’s age or per each foot (30.5 cm.) of growth using a balanced fertilizer. This may seem distressing, but it will give the young tree the ability to concentrate on establishing strong roots. Newly planted fig trees should be pruned back by about a half. Clay-heavy soil can prove to be a death sentence for your tree, so be sure to dig in plenty of organic material, like compost or well-rotted manure before you plant. Your soil should be loamy, fertile, and well-drained with a pH balance of around 6.0 to 6.5. If you want to train the trees to be bushy and lower growing, plant them with 10 feet (3 m.) between them.

If you’re planting more than one tree, make sure they have 15 to 20 feet (5-6 m.) between them.

#Fig plant full

In addition to full sunlight, fig trees appreciate lots of room. Set out your dormant, bare-rooted fig trees in late fall to early spring. Conversely, while it’s a warm-weather fruit, the edible fig needs around a hundred hours of chilly weather to grow and set fruit. It’s easier to protect a fig from the cold if it’s trained as a shrub or bush. It’s essential to keep them safe from cold wind and frosty conditions, which means that in many zones you’ll need to make them portable. If you live in a cooler zone, you can plant figs in half-barrels or moveable containers so they can be shrouded and protected from freezing in winter.

While some types will do well in cooler temperatures, most fig tree varieties will be happiest growing in USDA zones 8 through 10. The best times are late fall or early spring. Plant new fig trees outside when they’re dormant. Another way to obtain fig trees is to plant root suckers from other trees or obtain divisions or cuttings from mature plants.

#Fig plant how to

How to Grow Figs in the Gardenīuy your plants from a reputable nursery to avoid nematode problems with your figs.

Figs are fun and fairly easy to grow, but there are a few important things to learn about fig tree care. Figs ( Ficus carica) are members of the mulberry family and are indigenous to Asiatic Turkey, northern India, and warm Mediterranean climates, where they thrive in full sun.ĭuring a recent warm summer in Provence, we plucked figs from a tree every day for a delicious and healthy no-fuss dessert. One of the most lavish fruits on the planet, figs are a pleasure to grow.