Whether you eat them in roasted or dried form, figs are delicious. Available in a range of variety, figs are large pear-shaped fruit that offers scores of health benefits. Native to North-Western Asia and the Middle East, the fig trees were brought to North America in the sixteenth century. It is one of the oldest fruits known to mankind and belongs to the Moraceae family.
Believe it or not, figs are one of the easiest fruits to grown both in containers and in-ground. This is one of the main reasons many people prefer growing figs in their garden areas as they support trouble-free growth and do not demand too much investment. So, if you are planning to grow figs in your garden and relish your own produce instead of buying from Fig supplier, this guide can be an eye-opener.
Ideal Condition to Plant Figs
Though it is a fruit that can tolerate all kinds of weather conditions, it is best to plant them in dry and summer conditions. If you are planting them during the summer season, keep the soil moist. You can even plant them during the winter season as most of the fig trees are frost-hardy. But young trees are more prone to frost, thus you need to take adequate care during their first two years of winters. Prefer planting them in such a direction so that it will receive natural sunlight but protect them from strong winter winds.
Though the fig plants support all kinds of soil, loamy soil is rated as the best for their growth. Before planting it, enrich the soil with manure and compost for their healthy growth. You can get detailed information about ideal fig planting conditions from professional or reputed figs distributors or organic manufacturers.
Planting in Containers
You really need not a large garden to grow figs. They are space-efficient fruits and easy to grow in small containers or pots. Moreover, growing figs in the ground in especially those areas where the temperature drops below 10 degrees is a tricky process, so it makes sense to grow them in containers. Growing figs in small spaces restrict the spread of its roots, which is actually beneficial for this particular fruit. These are small trees grow up to the height of 6 meters and even spread 5-6 meters only. Prefer growing figs in large plastic containers for controlling its weight.
Taking Care of Figs
Many professional figs suppliers, who grow the figs in their own orchard, believe that it is one of the maintenance-free fruit. The reason being, you need not look or care for the fruit much for getting the desired results. A little care is enough to get the premium quality of fruits. Some of the important caring tips for the fig trees are:
Keep watering the young plants especially during dry and hot periods. If you feel that the leaves of the tree are turning yellow, it is an indication of overwatering.
Figs are a sun-loving tree. Thus, it is necessary that they receive seven to eight hours of sunlight during their growing season.
Feed your produce with fertilizers and manure. For instance, feed the plant with high potassium fertilizer during the growing season to promote fruit production.
If you want sweet and juicy figs, allow them to ripen on the tree. It is because they will not ripe once you pick them. Based on the variety of figs, the color of riped figs varies from green to dark brown. Wilt neck and hanging down of the fig are the two best indicators of their ideal picking time. In general, you can harvest them after 2-3 years of planting.
Pruning fig trees is necessary to remove dead branches and encourage fresh growth.
Protect your produce from fig rust, mosaic virus, fruit fly and many other threats that can destroy their growth.
Which Variety to Buy?
Caprifigs, San Pedro, Smyrna and Parthenocarpic are the four common varieties of figs. Amongst these four, the first three varieties have complex pollination requirements, so avoid growing them. You can purchase parthenocarpic variety (fruit forming without fertilization) from figs suppliers or distributors. Celeste, Brown Turkey and Black Mission are three varieties of parthenocarpic Figs easy to grow and purchase from online organic farms or from figs suppliers.
So, this time, grow this delectable fruit in your small garden and relish their taste as soon as they are ripe.