How to grow and care for Figs in a garden

 How to grow and care for Figs in a garden

What’s a cheese platter without a couple of fresh figs? These gorgeous fruits are best eaten when they’re fresh (they don’t store very well), so it pays to grow your own and pick as you please.  Figs grow into medium-sized trees, between 3-5m, and will produce fruit within 2-3 years of planting. Also, depending on the climate and the variety you choose, you may be lucky to enjoy up to 2 crops in one year!  

Most trees are self-fertile, so you’ll only need one to produce these delish fruits.

How to grow and care  Figs in a garden

How to grow Figs in a garden

1. Plant in mid-winter as deciduous trees or propagate from hardwood cuttings. 
2. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Enrich the soil. If the soil is clay-based, add gypsum and fork in the well. 
3. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
4. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well. 
5. Mulch around the base with organic mulch like woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.
6. Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
7. During the growing and flowering/fruiting season, feed 

   

   How to grow and care for Figs in a garden
   
   
   

   
   

   How to grow Figs in a pot

   Figs can be grown in large pots, at least 600mm wide and deep, to allow the roots to spread. 

   1. Position pot in full sun and fill with quality potting mix, such as  Premium Potting Mix.
   2. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
   3. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Water in well.
   4. Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
   5. During the growing and flowering/fruiting season, apply  Citrus Liquid Plant Food. Throughout the year apply  Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
   
   

   

   How to grow and care  for Figs in a garden

   Growing tips

• Figs can be propagated very easily. In late autumn take hardwood cuttings, between 20-30cm long with several nodes.  Plant the cutting in a free-draining propagation mix such as  Black Magic Seed Raising Mix, make sure you cover a couple of the nodes. Water in well and keep the soil moist.

• If you live in areas prone to heavy frosts, protect young trees with fleece or hessian.

• Some varieties of figs crop twice – a light crop (known as breba) in on last year’s wood and a heavier crop, which forms at the base of the current season’s growth. 
  
  
• Figs will respond to a light prune in winter, but make sure you keep some of the old wood. However, ensure dead and diseased wood is removed to prevent spread of fungal or bacterial issues. 
  Well-established, mature trees may need to be pruned a bit harder to promote new growth.
• Only pick figs when you need them as they won’t continue to ripen once picked.  As Figs bruise easily, it’s important to handle them with care. To pick the fruit, twist the stalk carefully so you don’t damage the fig.
• Problems to look out for including Fig Leaf Beetle - they create scalloped edges on leaves and damage fruit skin. The solution is to prune leaves with larvae or beetle clusters and destroy them.  

Watch this video to see How to grow and care for  Figs in a garden

Common problems

Rust

Brown spots on leaves with orange pustules on the underside.

Solution

Nature's Way Fungus Spray

Protects against a very wide range of fungal and bacterial diseases. It is formulated from copper and sulfur, which are naturally occurring compounds.

Birds

Chewed or missing fruit.

Solution

Spread bird netting over the tree before the fruit begins to ripen.

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