Figs are common fruits that can be eaten fresh or dried, they are also used in baked goods and for preserves. Figs grow on the fig tree, which prefers the Mediterranean areas and North Africa, as well as the southern and western areas of the United States of America, all characterized by a temperate and dry climate. Figs need a warm climate and lots of sunlight and trees grow large. Fig trees need a lot of space to grow and bloom.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Get ready
Step 1. Choose a fig variety
There are many types on the market, but only a few are famous for their longevity. Take a look at the figs that grow best in your region, considering that the varieties that grow more easily in Italy are the dottato, the brogiotti (both white and black), the white fig from Cilento and the verdino. Remember that there are figs of different colors ranging from shades of purple, green to brown. Each type of fig also matures in a different period of the year.
- Visit a local nursery or call local agricultural cooperatives to find out which fig varieties are suitable for your area.
- Figs grow best in warm, tropical, and semi-desert areas, so most fig varieties will be able to grow in these types of environments. Only a few selected species can grow in places where the temperature drops below 4⁰C.
Step 2. Find out when to plant
Fig trees generally need to be planted in mid-spring. A young tree will take up to two years to produce fruit, although figs typically ripen between late summer and early autumn. Pruning should also take place during the summer, an atypical condition for other common fruit trees.
Step 3. Decide where to plant
Since fig trees are very sensitive to heat and require root ball maintenance, it is usually easier to plant them in a pot. This way you can easily move them to warmer areas and you can take care of their roots. However, you can decide to plant figs outdoors in the presence of the right conditions; prefer a slope facing south, with very little shade and a lot of drainage.
Step 4. Prepare the soil
Although fig trees are not particularly demanding regarding soil conditions, they will certainly present with some slight differences depending on the terrain. In general, fig trees grow best on sandy soils with a pH of 7 or slightly lower (more alkaline conditions). Add a little fertilizer to the soil in a 4-8-12 or 10-20-25 titer.
Part 2 of 2: Plant Your Fig Tree
Step 1. Prepare the ground
Use a small garden shovel or your hands to dig the hole that will house your fig tree. Dig a hole just wide enough to contain the root ball and deep so that the base of the trunk is covered with about 5 cm of soil.
Step 2. Plant your tree
Remove the plant from the container and gently lay it on its side. Use garden shears to trim off excess roots along the edges, as these affect fruit production. Then place the root ball into the hole and gently spread the roots out of the trunk. Fill the space around and under the tree with soil and press the earth so that it is uniform and compact.
Step 3. Water the fig tree
To help your new tree take root, water it generously for a few days. However, fig trees usually do not like large amounts of water, so give your tree a moderate amount of water 1 or 2 times a week after planting it.
Step 4. Maintain the soil
If you have planted the fig tree outdoors, it is important to take care of the soil and the soil on which the plant grows. Uproot any weeds you see and spread fertilizer every 4 to 5 weeks. In addition, cover the area around the trunk with 10 - 12 cm of compost, covering the soil evenly.
Covering with compost during the summer will help maintain the humidity level, while during the winter it will protect the fig tree from low temperatures and frosts
Step 5. Prune your tree when needed
Prune the fig tree during the summer of the second year, as it is not necessary to prune during the first. Reduce the number of branches to 4 resistant shoots, this operation will lead to fruit growth. When the tree is ripe, cut all the twigs before the figs grow.
Step 6. Collect fruit
Collect the figs from the tree when they are fully ripe, as they will not continue to ripen once harvested (unlike other fruits such as peaches). A ripe fig will be soft to the touch and slightly curved. The color of the ripe fig depends on the variety you have chosen, we have already said that different varieties have different colors. Gently pick the fruit from the tree, to avoid crushing them.
Wear gloves while harvesting figs, because the sap produced by the tree (released during harvesting) is a natural irritant for the skin
Advice
- Avoid fertilizers with a high nitrogen content.
- Collect ripe fruit early to avoid attracting insects or other pests.
- Growing figs near a south-facing wall will protect them from the cold and take advantage of radiant heat.
- Dried figs are prepared by leaving them in the sun for 4 or 5 days, or by putting them in a dryer for 10 or 12 hours. Dried figs keep for 6 months.
