fruit trees

How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Figs

Looking for a fantastic backyard fruit tree? Look no further than the humble fig. Figs are an excellent choice for a backyard tree because they are hardy, easy to grow, and have no serious disease problems beside nematodes. And did I mention the fruit is absolutely delicious? Yes! My Granny always had a fig tree in her yard, and there was no greater joy that seeing her turn those soft fruits into homemade preserves or just eating them right off the tree! Learning how to grow figs at home isn’t difficult, so let’s get started.

Should I grow a fig tree?

Before planting any type of tree or plant, you should always assess whether it’s a good fit for your yard or garden. This includes your climate as well as space that you have available.

The size of a fig tree

Fig trees can grow up to 20 feet tall and wide if you allow them. As the gardener, you have control over the size and shape of your tree by making pruning cuts (see my article on pruning fruit trees). It is recommended to prune fig trees into a bush shape, keeping the height of the tree manageable and the fruit within reach. Because who wants fruit that we can’t reach, right?

Where fig trees grow best

Fig trees enjoy warm weather (don’t we all??), and grow well in zone 8-10. However, all is not lost! There are some cold hardy varieties that can be grown outdoors in zone 6 and 7 as well. In zones where temperatures go below 10 degrees, figs are best grown in containers and brought inside for the winter.

Popular fig tree varieties for home growing

Of the four main types of figs, you want to make sure that you buy a variety of the common fig because the fruit will form without pollination. This means you can grow with just one tree. As with all fruit tree purchases, always check your growing zone and make sure what you purchase is compatible. Your local cooperative extension office is a great resource for this.

Celeste– Able to withstand the high heat of the south, the celeste fig is a beautiful tree that bears delicious fruit!
Brown Turkey Fig– A southern classic, this fig variety tends to be more compact and can give both a summer and a fall harvest.
Chicago Hardy– This fig variety produces beautiful fruit with bright red interiors. A great choice for northern gardeners who want to grow figs as this tree can withstand some frost.
Black Mission Fig– This popular fig variety is drought-tolerant and produces beautiful and delicious fruit. Hardy in zones 7-10.
LSU Purple Fig– Are you a big LSU fan? This may be the fig for you. This fig variety loves the hot weather and has a unique leaf shape as well as disease resistance.

Where to plant a fig tree

Light Requirements– Fig trees love sun and warmth, so make sure you find a sunny spot to plant where the tree will receive a minimum of 8 hours of sun during the growing season. Consider the south side of your lawn or garden. In colder areas, it’s a good idea to plant along the south side of a building to give added heat.
Soil Conditions– Figs generally grow well in a wide range of soil conditions. It is a good idea to have your soil tested at your local cooperative extension to make sure the ph is in the 6.0 to 6.5 range. Our current fig tree is growing where old azaleas had been, which love acidic soil, and it’s doing well.
Other Growing Factors– As with planting any tree, make sure the planting site has well draining soil. If not, simply build up a mound or raised bed to plant in. Also, remember this very small plant can grow very large, so plant far enough away from buildings, wires, sidewalks, etc. Especially if you don’t plan to prune it back to a bush size. My Granny always told me that you want to protect the roots of a fig tree by planting in near a structure, so our tree is about four feet away from the house. I can’t back this suggestion up with hard proof, but if Granny recommends it…

Fig tree with brick home in the background.

How to Plant a Fig Tree

I alway say, start out like you can hold out, and that’s especially true for fruit trees. Make sure you purchase your fig tree from a reputable nursery, so you come home with a healthy tree that will grow well in your area. If you go with an online company, check to see if they have a money back guarantee to insure you don’t just throw away your money if something goes wrong.

Figs are warm climate trees, so also make sure you choose one that will grow in your zone, especially if you live in colder climates. Celeste, Brown Turkey, Hardy Chicago, Brunswick, Marseilles, and Osborne are some of the most winter hardy cultivars.

When to plant fig trees- The best time to plant your fig tree is when it is dormant, in the early spring (after the danger of a hard freeze) or late fall.
Fig tree spacing- Figs don’t need to be planted together for pollination like other fruit trees, but if you decide to plant more than one tree, space them at least 6 feet apart.
Ideal location– Remember that figs can grow very large if you allow them to, so plant in a place where they have plenty of room to spread out. Planting in full sun, along a south facing wall is ideal for maximum heat exposure.
Preparing soil for planting– When you dig your planting hole, amend the soil with some compost or well rotted manure to give your plant a good boost. (Create your own compost at home!)
Water requirements for figs– After planting your fig tree, make sure to water it in, meaning give the roots a good soak. This removes air pockets and settles the dirt as well as hydrates the roots.
How long until fruit can be harvested? A young fig tree needs time to develop its root system, so it may be 3-5 years before the fruit will be ready to harvest. Consider buying an older tree if you’d like to have fruit more quickly. Your local nursery should be able to help you with this.

Caring for fig trees

Once your fig tree is planted, how do you need to care for it? What about watering, fertilizing, and pruning?

Watering a fig tree

For highest fruit yields, figs should be watered throughout the summer. The water requirements are different depending on soil type, but generally 1 to 1½ inches of water a week from rain or irrigation should suffice. Mulching around the tree is a good idea to help retain water, and may reduce the effects of nematode problems. Figs are very shallow rooted so a good layer of mulch can also add some needed protection to the root system. If nematodes have been an issue for you in the past, consider planting marigolds near your fig tree in the spring and summer.

Fertilization

In healthy soil, fig trees grow well without added fertilizer. Compost is always a good idea to enrich your soil, so you could consider a top dressing of compost in the spring. However, fertilizer may be needed in soils with low fertility or where there is high competition from other plants. Your soil test results from your local extension office can help diagnose any soil issues you may have.

Pruning fig trees

At planting, prune about ⅓ of your fig tree’s top to encourage low growing branches. Figs are heavy bleeders, so it is best to prune when the tree is dormant or in early spring. Remove any diseased, weak, or dead branches when you prune. In the image of my fig tree above, you can clearly see a few branches that need to be pruned back because they have no leaves. Keep your tree manageable and well shaped.

Harvesting figs

Are you accustomed to seeing blooms on fruit trees to indicate where the fruit will grow? Don’t be surprised if you can’t find any blossoms on your fig tree. The flower is actually inside this unusual fruit!

What season? Most fig trees will produce two crops. The current season’s wood will produce the main crop of figs if the bush is mature. Some everbearing varieties will produce a Breba (or bonus) crop on last year’s growth. The time of year for harvesting may differ slightly depending on the your climate, but typically you can expect to harvest in the summer.
How to tell when figs are ready- When the figs are ripe for picking, they will be fully colored and soft to the touch. They will not continue to ripen off the tree so try not to jump the gun on harvesting. You may need to protect the fruit from birds and squirrels with wildlife netting because they will try to get to them before you do. If your tree is smaller, you can build our DIY blueberry bush covers as good protection.
Storing fresh figs– Figs are very perishable, but also very delicious, so you might not even need to store them. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Other storage options are freezing, dehydrating, or canning.

Growing Figs FAQ’s

Can fig trees be grown in containers?

Yes, it is even recommended to grow your fig tree in a container and bring it indoors for the winter if you live in a colder climate. Make sure you plant in a large pot and water frequently. It is also a good idea to add some fertilizer to your container plants.

Can you grow a fig tree from a fig?

Unfortunately, the common fig is seedless so you won’t be able to grow a fig from its seed. The good news is that fig trees propagate easily from cuttings. Check back for a follow up post about some different ways to propagate figs from cuttings. In the meantime, check out this helpful resource on how to propagate figs.

I hope you’ll take the leap and add figs to your home garden. The trees themselves are beautiful and give off a lovely aroma when you’re close up. They are a favorite of birds, so be on the lookout. For those who live out in the country, deer could possibly be an issue as well, so be prepared to protect your precious figs.

Have more suggestions for growing figs? Leave a comment below and share with the group; your input is always valuable! Have a great week and happy gardening!

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by Courtney Leave a Comment

How to Plant Fruit Trees

There is nothing better than picking and eating fresh fruit right off the tree. Whether you long for a childhood memory of eating succulent fruit from a backyard tree or just want to try something new, here’s what you need to know about planting fruit trees.

Why Plant Fruit Trees?

As with all gardening, one of the goals is to have the freshest food possible at your fingertips. The same is true for planting fruit trees. The ability to have fresh fruit growing in your very own backyard is appealing to those people who may remember their grandparents growing fruit at home, or for those who want to know where their fruit comes from. Many of us are becoming much more aware of how far our food has to travel in order to get to our kitchens. Why not consider growing your own fruit trees at home to help cut back the footprint your family is making in worldwide food shipping?

Fresh flavor is also another reason to grow your own fruit at home. Especially with tender fruits, such as peaches, grapes, and berries, shipping can be hard, and the quality can decrease greatly with travel. Berries are especially susceptible to being mushed in transit or going bad from sitting in the grocery store cooler case. The best decision we ever made was planting a few raspberry canes and blueberry bushes a few years ago. Fresh raspberries and blueberries are delicious and so easy to grow!

When to Plant Fruit Trees

Though most trees arrive at hardware stores in late winter/early spring , and spring catalogs are chock full of fruit trees of all kinds, growers can choose to plant most fruit trees whenever the ground is not frozen and daytime temperatures are above freezing and below 90 degrees.

However, bare root trees need to be planted while the plant is still dormant, usually late winter or early spring. (Bare root trees literally arrive with roots bare, no soil.)

Fall planting has some advantages: the roots are given time to establish in the native soil, the cooler temperatures can be less stressful on a newly planted tree, and there are lower water requirements since the tree is not actively growing.

Choosing a Planting Site

Once you’ve decided on the type of tree to grow and have ordered it from the company or purchased it from a local, reputable nursery, you’re ready to plant. Start by choosing a site, then test drainage, and finally dig your hole! To choose your site:

Find a spot in your yard that gets as much sun as possible. Unless you are in an area where your temperatures get over 110 degrees fahrenheit, plant your tree in full sun. Start at the south facing side of your yard for areas that may get the most sun.
Consider any potential obstacles nearby, as fruit trees can grow very large if you don’t prune them to maintain size. (see backyard orchard culture for information about keeping fruit trees small, even if they’re not labeled “dwarf.)
Don’t forget the roots need space to grow as well, so avoid planting too close to pavement, septic systems, or buildings.

backyard space with green grass, shed with white doors and a covered patio

Test Your Planting Site’s Drainage

It is very important to test your proposed planting site for how well it drains. One sure fire way to kill a young fruit tree is to plant in an area of poor drainage where its roots will sit in water.

To test your drainage:

dig a hole about 1 foot deep and fill it with water.
Wait 3-4 hours.
If the water drains out, fill it again.
If it takes longer than 3 or 4 hours for the water to drain on the first or second try, then you should consider a different planting site. If you don’t have another option, consider planting on a mound or in a raised bed.

Should you amend soil before planting a fruit tree?

This is a very common question, and the short answer is no. For fruit trees it is not recommended to amend the soil when planting.

Your goal is for the roots to grow deep and wide to find water and nutrients. If you add nutritional amendments to your planting hole, the roots are not going to want to venture out of their comfortable little home. If you want to add compost, it is best to place it around the tree after planting and not into the soil you use to backfill the hole. Avoid adding any conventional fertilizer when planting, since it can burn the delicate roots. No one wants to waste their precious time and money by damaging a tree before it’s had a chance to grow.

Digging a hole for a fruit tree

Another common question about planting fruit trees is how deep and large should the planting hole be? When planted, the tree should be the same height it was growing at the nursery. So dig your hole a bit deeper than the root system will need and backfill some for looser soil.

For bare root trees you should see a slight change in bark color indicating where the soil level was. Dig the hole a little deeper than the root is tall, and wider than the roots when they are spread out. Use a pitchfork or shovel to loosen the sides of the hole to make it easier for the roots to penetrate outwards.

How to Plant a Fruit Tree

Placing the fruit tree

Fruit trees will have a graft union where the tree is grafted onto the rootstock. When you plant, position the bulge so it is facing south to protect the grafting scar from potential sunburn.

Depth

As mentioned earlier, it is important not to plant the tree too deep, being extra careful to leave a 2-3 inches between the graft union and the soil. If you have fast draining soil, you may even want to plant an inch or two higher to allow for settling when you water it in.

Root Care

Try to be gentle with exposed roots and never allow them to dry out. For bare root trees, soak the roots prior to planting for about 30-60 minutes, but don’t let them soak for more than a couple hours. Simply place them in a bucket of water while you are busy digging the hole.

Inspect the roots before planting and prune off any broken, rotted, or twisted roots with a good pair of pruning shears. It is also important to fan the roots out when placing them into the hole, not allowing them to circle back on themselves. Sometimes it helps to make a small cone of soil in the middle of the hole to support the roots as you fan them out.

Filling in and Mulching

Once you have situated your tree in the hole, backfill it with native soil, gently tamping the dirt down around the roots to eliminate air pockets.

Mulching around your tree after planting has many benefits such as water conservation, weed control, and soil improvement. Apply 2-4 inches of mulch at least to the width of the drip line (where the water drips off the leaves). For best results, don’t allow the mulch to touch the trunk of the tree. And definitely do NOT volcano mulch around your trees (excessive mound of mulch that looks like a volcano.)

Avoid bagged mulches that are dyed, as thick layers of this chunky mulch can actually prevent water from reaching the roots of your newly planted fruit tree. Instead, opt for a pine straw mulch if possible.

Watering Newly Planted Fruit Trees

When you first plant your tree it is important to water thoroughly to allow the soil to settle in around the roots, and to give it a good drink. This can be done over several days if you are dealing with slow draining soil.

It is recommended to provide at least one inch of water weekly to the tree during the first-year growing season. Trees, unlike our lawns, require deep watering on a less frequent basis. Drip irrigation with a timer, like this DIY kit from Rain Bird, is a good way to keep your fruit trees happy.

Pruning a New Fruit Tree

Why Prune? Pruning after planting is important to establish a stronger tree that will mature earlier. For bare root trees, make a heading cut at knee height just after planting. This will encourage lower branching for easy training, spraying, pruning, and of course harvesting delicious fruit. (Need some pruning basics? Check out this article from Penn State University.)
How to Prune Fruit Trees: See full article on how to prune fruit trees, but remember that the goal in the first 3 years is not fruit production. Instead, focus on establishing the shape and size of the tree that will easily support a bountiful harvest. (Also check out our article on How to Prune Blueberry Bushes.)

Fruit Tree Planting FAQ’s

Which fruit trees can be planted together?

Before purchasing a tree, make sure it is compatible with your USDA plant hardiness zone. Just because they sell a tree to you at the store doesn’t mean that it will grow or produce fruit when you get it home and plant it. Another thing to look into are the required chill hours for the tree you want to purchase. It’s a good idea to plant more than one fruit tree, making sure that there is a suitable pollinizer nearby. Check to see what other variety would be a suitable match for the one you want to plant and plant them no more than 100 ft apart. Even trees that are self-fertile can benefit from cross pollination.

How far apart should fruit trees be planted?

Peach, plum, and apricot trees are not grown on dwarfing rootstock and should be planted about 18-20 feet apart.
Some trees that are grafted onto dwarfing rootstock can be planted as close as 5 feet apart. (Check the tag from the nursery.)
Follow the recommendations from the nursery that supplied your tree, or plant closer together and prune to keep your trees a manageable size.
If you don’t have a lot of space, I would recommend high density planting, and the backyard orchard culture.

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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Figs