— Your guide to planting, caring and harvesting figs.
Fresh figs, goats cheese and a drizzle of balsamic reduction is the perfect autumn happy hour treat. Not only are figs tasty and relatively easy to grow, these deciduous trees provide lovely dappled shade over the hot months.
When and where —
A fig’s flavour is all about sunshine. They need lots of it. As well as protection from wind. If you can plant somewhere with a warm, north-facing wall behind them, they’ll thrive.
Grow in a garden or container (such as a half wine barrel), and buddy up with strawberries or marigolds in their understorey.
They’ll grow in most soils, even clay or sandy — though prefer nutrient dense and free-draining. Add compost at the time of planting, then mulch with pea straw, bark or something similar once it’s planted.
Care —
Unpruned, a fig tree will get huge. Luckily they respond well to a good old prune, and can also be easily trained, like espaliering along a fence or wall.
Keep roots contained so they don’t get too out of control and become invasive — hence why pots are a good option. Or bury a large container with drainage holes and plant the tree into it. Every couple of years use a sharp spade to chomp around the edge of the area to sever any roots that have grown too far.
Harvest —
Pick ripe figs through autumn and early winter (depending on variety). Figs are ready when they’re slightly ‘squishy’ when you squeeze them. But beware of the birds — as soon as figs get to the most desired ripeness, the birds will try to get them first! The trees can be protected with mesh if the birds are becoming too much of a pest.
Fresh figs won’t last long, so eat as soon as possible or make them into preserves.
