Southern Living Plant Collection
Few fruits are as rewarding to grow asfigs.
Modern cultivars exhibit improved cold hardiness, expanding the growing range farther north.
Provide plants with plenty of sun to promote high yields.
Credit:Southern Living Plant Collection
Planting against a south- or west-facing wall provides plants with radiant heat in winter.
‘Little Miss Figgy’ can also be grown in containers and overwintered indoors.
They can tolerate part shade but will produce less fruit.
Soil
Plants grow best in slightly acidic to neutral, organically rich soils.
They require good drainage to prevent root rots and to keep fruits from tasting too watery.
Plants can produce well with very little supplemental irrigation, however light, consistent moisture benefits fruit development.
Reduce irrigation in fall as plants prepare for winter dormancy.
Temperature And Humidity
Plants tolerate high heat but are susceptible to cold damage.
Consider covering plants for extra protection when temperatures dip below 15F.
Fertilizer
Figs perform best on lean soils and require very little added nutrition.
Only feretilze fig trees if they displayed reduced vigor the previously growing season.
Apply balanced, slow-release, organic fertilizer in spring.
Avoid over fertilizing figs, as excess nitrogen will encourage shoot growth at the expense of fruiting.
Conduct a soil test and amend soil as needed, ideally several months prior to planting.
Do not prune or fertilize fig trees at planting time.
Water plants well before transplanting to prevent roots from drying out during the planting process.
Dig a planting hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball.
This allows you to spread the root system.
Gently remove the plant from its pot and loosen the root ball.
Set plants 2-4 inches deeper than they were growing in the nursery pot.
Water plants thoroughly and apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch, avoiding the area closest to stems.
Prune plants during the dormant season.
Also remove any root suckers.
Then use heading cuts to trim several branches, cutting them one to two feet above ground level.
This encourages new shoot development, where the main crop will develop.
The harder you cut back plants, the more vigorous the new growth and the later fruits will develop.
Be sure to maintain a few uncut stems if youd like to also produce a breba crop.
First, most fig plants do not fruit the first season after planting.
Be patient as you wait for plants to become established.
Excess nitrogen is a major cause of fruit failure.
When plants receive too much nitrogen, they put on excess vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production.
Adjust fertilization practices accordingly and remember that figs prefer leaner soils.
The length of the growing season can also impact fruit production.
Make shallower heading cuts, removing just twelve to eighteen inches with each cut, to promote earlier ripening.
Cut back on watering in autumn to avoid wet winter soil and mulch plant roots well.
A simple blanket or tarp works well.
Fig lovers have devised numerous clever ways to grow figs beyond their hardiness zone.
Wait for the fig plant to go dormant before moving it indoors.
Water containers just enough to prevent soil form drying out completely.
Select a planting container with adequate drainage holes that is one to two sizes larger than the nursery pot.
This larger container will accommodate the seasons root growth.
Use a well-draining potting media, setting the plant slightly deeper than it is in the nursery container.
Fill in around the roots with potting media, then water thoroughly, adding more soil as needed.
Container-grown plants dry out faster than plants in the ground and will require more frequent irrigation.
Water pots when the upper 2 inches feel dry to the touch.
Figs do not mind confined spaces but will need to be repotted when the roots outgrow the container.
Select a container one size larger and prune shoots as needed to manage plant size.
Root knot nematodes live in the soil and feed on fig roots.
This feeding can stunt plant growth and reduce fruit production.
Scale, aphids, mealybugs, and spider mite outbreaks occur on occasion.
Monitoring plants and treating problems early is the best way to prevent serious infestations.
Fig Mosaic Virus is a virus found in all cultivated fig trees.
Fig Mosaic Virus is most pronounced on container-grown figs.
Plants often outgrow the damage once planted in the ground.
Watch for foliar diseases such as leaf spots, rust, and blight.
Remove infected leaves and twigs and dispose of these in the trash.
Common Problems
The most common problem experienced by fig growers is competition from hungry animals.
Birds and squirrels love figs almost as much as we do.
Pick up fallen fruits to discourage bees and wasps.
