Fig

Growing

Because many common varieties are parthenocarpic, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest without worrying about the presence of fig wasps to pollinate your blossoms. When selecting a tree for your garden, look for "persistent" types like Brown Turkey, Black Mission, or Celeste, as these develop ripe fruit without insect intervention. If you are planting in a container, ensure the medium is porous and provides excellent drainage, as figs thrive in rocky or well-draining soils and can even tolerate nutrient-poor conditions.

When your fruit is ready, harvest it immediately for the best flavor, as figs will not continue to ripen once they are picked from the branch. You can tell they are ripe when they reach your desired size and feel slightly soft to the touch. To keep your harvest fresh, store the fruit unwashed in the refrigerator. If you have a surplus, figs are excellent candidates for drying into cakes or being preserved in jars, a method used since ancient times. Be mindful when handling the tree, as the leaves can cause irritation.