Fig Trees (Ficus carica) are an easy to care for tree available all year round from specialist fig tree and fruit tree nurseries. Best suited to zones 8 – 10 in colder areas they will need protection during winter.
Grown for the fruit which is eaten fresh , cooked or dried fig trees may need to be netted when fruiting to prevent birds from eating crops. With many varieties of fig trees available a little research into final growing size is essential.
Self pollinating trees are the easiest for the home gardener. In areas that are prone to cold ground temperatures in winter fig trees become a little problematical, it is probably best to grow in containers that can be moved indoors or into a greenhouse if required.
Care
A sunny position and a humus rich soil are important, as is a well drained soil.
- Dig in well rotted compost to the area before planting.
- Trees are best planted in spring in most areas
- Trees can be planted at the same depth as they were in the container
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertilizer.
- Keep moist through the first summer
- Mulch around the tree to maintain a cool root rum and suppress weeds.
- Fig trees require very little fertilizer after they are established.
Although not often needed, pruning is simple, just prune back to shape and size, fig trees are not fussy.
Fig Tree Varieties
With many varieties for sale some of the popular types include :
- Fig Brown Turkey
One of the toughest of all of the figs. Purple to brown fruits excellent for eating as well as preserving. Popular as it will often fruit twice a year. Flesh is pink and sweet. - Fig Black Genoa
Deep purple fruit with a conical shape. Deep red flesh, very sweet, great for eating and for jams. Another that will fruit twice a year and is self fertile. - Chicago Hardy
Good for colder climates, however frost protection is still required, especially when young. - Fig Excel
Sweet flesh and good yields. - Fig Blue Provence
This one has been around for over 100 years. wonderful for eating, and excellent for making jams due to the high sugar content.
Other varieties include :
- Black Mission Fig Tree
- Bluejack Fig Tree
- Brown Turkey Fig Tree
- Celestial Fig Tree
- Green Ischau Fig Tree
- Goliath Fig Tree
- Italian White Fig Tree
- Jack Black Fig Tree
- Kadota Fig Tree
- Nero Caesar Fig Tree
- Patrick’s Supergiant Fig Tree
- Peter’s Honey Fig Tree
- Tennessee Mountain Fig Tree
Propagation
Propagation of commercial varieties is by grafting.
Fig trees are available for sale from the following specialist nurseries.
GRIMO NUT NURSERY
Persian and Black Walnut, Heartnut, Butternut,Apricot, Chestnut, Hazelnut, Pecan, Hickory, Ginkgo, Pine nut, Mulberry, Persimmon, Paw Paw, Fig and many more.
https://www.grimonut.com/
