How to Grow a Fig Tree

Figs are a fairly common fruit used fresh or dried, in jams and baked goods. Figs grow from fig trees, growing well in the southern and western United States, as well as in the Mediterranean and northern Africa, where the climate is mild and dry. Sung prefers warm, sunny weather with a wide canopy. Fig trees also need plenty of space to grow and flower.

Table of Contents

Prepare

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Choose a variety of figs. There are many varieties of figs available in the market, but only a few popular ones have strong growth potential. To find the best varieties of figs where you live, check out some like Brown Turkey, Brunswick, or Osborne. Remember that figs have a wide range of colors and shapes, from purple to green or brown. Each variety ripens differently, at different times of the year. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Visit a local nursery or extension farm to get the right figs for where you live.
Figs grow best in warm, desert-like tropical climates, so most figs can thrive in these environments. Only a few species can grow in low temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius.

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Know when to plant. Usually, figs should be planted in mid-spring. It takes up to two years for a young fig tree to produce its first fruit, but usually figs ripen in late summer or early fall. It is advisable to prune figs in the summer, although this is quite the opposite of some other popular fruit trees.

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Choose a place to plant. Since figs are quite heat sensitive and require stability of the root ball, it should be easy when the plant is potted. This way we can move the pot to a warmer place, and the roots will be better protected. However, you can also grow plants outside with the right conditions; Look for a place with south-facing slopes, little shade, and easy drainage.

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Prepare the soil for planting. Although figs are not very picky about soil conditions, they will really grow quickly with a few small changes. Generally, figs grow best when the soil is slightly sandy and the pH is close to 7 or lower (more alkaline). Apply a little more fertilizer with a mixing ratio of 4-8-12 or 10-20-25. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Plant a tree

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Prepare the land. Use a trowel or hand to dig holes for the tree. Make a hole just wide enough for the root pot, and deep enough that the base of the plant is covered with soil.

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Plant a tree. Remove the plant from the potting soil and carefully set it aside. Use scissors to trim away excess roots around the base, as they will reduce fruit yield. Then, place the root ball in the hole and carefully spread the roots around. Fill with soil under and around the tree and pat the soil flat and firm. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Water the tree. To help the young plant stabilize, water a lot for a few days. However, in general, you should not overwater the plant, but only water with a moderate amount of water 1-2 times a week after planting.

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Protect the soil. If you plant trees outside, it is quite important to protect the soil and plot of the tree. Weed the surrounding area and fertilize the plant every 4-5 weeks. At the same time, add a layer of soil cover from 10-12 cm around the trunk, fill with soil.

Mulch in the summer will keep the plant moist, and in the winter will protect it from cold and frost.

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Prune the tree as needed. Prune in the summer of the tree’s second year, so you don’t need to prune during the first year of growth. Pruning down to four strong shoots will help the tree increase fruit yield. As the tree matures, prune again in the spring, before the tree begins to grow.

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Harvest. Harvest figs from the tree when the fruit is fully ripe, as they will not ripen further after harvest (just like peaches). Ripe figs are slightly soft, and curved at the base. The color of ripe figs depends on the variety of figs you grow, as figs come in many different colors. Harvest gently to avoid darkening of the fruit.

Wear gloves when harvesting to prevent the sap (released during harvesting) from irritating the skin. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Advice

Avoid using fertilizers that are high in nitrogen.
Harvest ripe figs at the right time to avoid attracting insects and other pests.
Planting trees facing south helps them absorb radiant heat and protect them from frost.
You can dry figs in the sun for 4 or 5 days, or put them in the dryer for 10 to 12 hours. Dried figs can be stored for 6 months.

Warning

Remember to wear gloves when pruning or harvesting figs as the sap can be irritating to the skin.

Steps

Prepare

Plant a tree

Advice

Warning

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