We now have 9 fig trees but only 1 that’s much of a producer. There are three in the orchard that I think are duds. They haven’t done much of anything.
Fig Tree
We planted 4 new ones this year and I think at least three of them might be good producers. But there’s the one big one!
Fig Tree
They all freeze back every year . . they seem dead. We wait for something to bud out and then we see little shoots coming from the roots so we cut back all the dead wood and start over from nothing.
Each year the above shown tree gets bigger and bigger before the first frost gets it. As of today, it’s about 10 – 12′ wide and probably 8 – 9′ tall and has produced more figs than ever before.
Figs
Yesterday I got 24 figs .. only made it in the house with 11 but Vince wasn’t coming home for lunch so I had figs for lunch . . fresh off the tree.
Figs
We share a few with the birds. The grasshoppers get a few. The chickens eat a lot of them.
Figs
There are literally hundreds of green figs that will not have the time to ripen before the first freeze gets them. Sad! They will turn brown, get hard and hang on to the branches. They will not fall off til probably March and sometimes when we cut the branches back, those hardened figs are still on there. Last year I began picking them off just because it reminded me of what could have been . . but never was, but there were so many, I gave up. I supposed instead of looking at it as what I could have had and didn’t get to have, I should look at the big strong branches and be happy for the figs we did get and even though the tree will have to be cut back almost to the ground, at least we’ll get wood for smoking our meats through the year.
We love our figs and I’m not sure if all 9 trees become good producers . . we still might gobble them all up and wish for more.
Christine says
Hi Judy,
Have popped into your life via the blog a few times, but never introduced myself (sorry if that makes me sound like a stalker!) Here in the UK summer is rarely long enough to ripen outdoor figs in one season. If there are ’embryo’ figs in the autumn we cover the plant with garden fleece for frost protection and remove it late May (after last frost). Depending on the severity of the winter these baby figlets sometimes survive to ripen the following summer – if the pigeons don’t get them first! Might work for you? Enjoy hearing the adventures of you and Vince, the adorable dogs and other livestock.
Regards,
Christine
Tracy says
Have you looked into wrapping the trees for the winter so they don’t freeze? Maybe do just one, so it’ll have a head start for next year’s crop. You could probably get away with some tar paper wrapped around straw insulation. My little fig tree put out five figs this year and it doesn’t get frozen, I’m a bit jealous of yours.
Denise ~ justquiltin says
I like the unusual shape of the leaves – very pretty.
Joyce says
I guess plants are like everything else–once in a while you get a dud. I’m sure you enjoy the figs you do get though. I have a forsythia bush that has never bloomed well. It just gets a few flowers here and there. I’ve fertilized and done all the normal stuff and nothing has helped. I’ve been thinking about getting another one…maybe the “threat” of replacement will spur it to start blooming. That’s how it works with other things.
Sara says
First I must say that I am NOT a gardener. My Mother was. She could take a dying plant from me and it would explode with growth. I once gave her the 4th or 5th rosemary plant that I had not managed to kill and found a season or so later that it was a bush in her garden. So I am writing to just say that she didn’t cut back her fig trees. I have inherited her property and the fig trees are producing tons of figs every year. I don’t do anything to them and they are laden with them. I don’t care for figs so leave them for the birds. I have no idea if my method of “benign neglect” is working or if they are just hale and hearty trees. The house fire damaged them a bit, but they have come back with a vengeance. 🙂 Now, would you like some seed pods from an Angel’s Trumpet tree? This year it has gone crazy. It’s beautiful, but if I don’t do something it will take over the garden. The flowers are a golden color. Also you should know that as I understand it, it is in the Belladonna family and very poisonous.
Karen says
Was wondering if you can pick the green figs and have them ripen off the tree, kind of like pears.
Nancie says
Just had to comment about your fig trees. My parents had one fig tree on their two acres in the Napa Valley. It produced enough figs to enjoy in early summer. The best way to enjoy figs is to pick a handful and then sit down by the tree and eat them, enjoying the surrounding countryside. Thank you for bringing back delightful memories.
I also, must thank-you for Design Wall Mondays. You have encouraged me to finish many UFO’s in the last 3 years.