The fig is a fruit that can be grown in your home. Learn about their growing requirements and how to care for them here!
Let’s take a look below:
LOCATIONS WHERE FIGS CAN BE GROWN
Zone 8 is the best place for figs. This limited area in America even though some indoor varieties are available, but they require warm weather and lots of sunlight to thrive!
Cold winters can kill them easily with freezing temperatures being their enemy.
SITE SELECTION FOR FIG TREES
Figs are a favorite fruit for many people because they have such interesting and unique flavor. Fig trees grow best in rich, healthy soil with plenty of water drainage to prevent flooding during dry seasons–these types of conditions make it easier on your figs!
Figs also prefer acidic pH levels between 6 – 6.05 which means that if you want tasty dried fruits from these magnificent plants then be sure to add lime into the soil.
PLANTING FIGS
Fig trees are one of the most versatile fruit in existence, and can be grown from either seeds or cuttings. They need to be planted 13 feet apart with space for them as they grow up right (or trained).
A good way of making sure figs bear well is by providing some shade during their first few years until then become more established. A good fertilizer ratio would be 10-30-10.
PROPER CARE OF FIGS
Fig trees grow quickly and produce fruit fast, but you should taper off in production after 12-15 years.
Some growers will stagger cuttings to spread out the harvest into a few more seasons for them while others wait until it gets really cold before they take action!
HARVESTING FIGS
Figs are known to cause allergic reactions. So, it’s important you wear gloves when harvesting them or else your skin could be irritated by the latex that is in figs!
Fig trees can bear up 360 fruit per year so get ready to harvest lots of them!
FIG PEST CONCERNS
Fig trees are most prone to nematodes that enter the base of your tree and dig down into its roots. In tropical areas, people plant figs near walls in order prevent this from happening!
Leaf rust caused by Cerotelium fici is a worldwide problem; it only occurs during rainy seasons but causes leaf spots as well as early fall leaves.