Figs

Figs come from warm Mediterranean climates and in southern regions will thrive in a sunny and sheltered position with well-drained soil.

Although figs can cope with dry conditions, drought can cause fruit to drop prematurely, especially if the developing fruit suffers from lack of water early in the growing season. Water plants regularly during the summer season, but do not give them too much or water them erratically while the fruit is ripening, as this may cause the fruit to split. Container grown plants are more vulnerable to lack of water.

Figs grown on fertile soils seldom require additional feeding in spring but when fruits appear feed weekly with a high-potassium liquid plant food (such as tomato fertiliser). If grown on poor soils and/or with root restriction, weak trees may benefit from an early spring application of 70g (2oz) of a balanced granular fertiliser (such as Growmore or fish, blood and bone). Overfeeding can lead to excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruiting.

Weak growth may also be due to lack of water caused by root restriction. Where this appears to be the case, mulch with 2.5-5cm (1-2in) of garden compost or composted bark.

Planting figs

You can grow figs in an open bed, or against a wall. Restrict the root run when planting figs. This will help to control the size and improve fruiting, as the fig will put more energy into fruiting instead of growth. Prepare as follows:

• Dig a 60cm (2ft) square planting pit in the ground. For wall planting aim for the tree to be about 45cm (18ins) from the wall so the tree gets the full benefit of rain
• Line the sides with paving slabs, allowing them to protrude 2.5-5cm (1-2in) above the level of the soil
• Line the bottom of the pit with a 20cm (8in) layer of broken bricks, large crocks or rubble to provide good drainage, but discourage large roots growing through
• Fill the pit with soil you dug out enriched with 10% by volume home-made compost or soil conditioner. Alternatively, refill with loam-based John Innes No 3 compost. Firm and level, make sure you leave 2.5-5cm (1-2in) watering rim.
• Plant your tree and firm, then water in. Plant no deeper than the plant was in the original pot

Burying a large sturdy container 50-60cm (20in-2ft) wide and deep with drainage holes is also an option. As with the lined planting pit the container should protrude 2.5-5cm (1-2in) above the ground. Fill the bottom of the container with 5-10cm (2-4in) of crocks or rubble. Smaller pots would be prone to drying and too restrictive for reliable cropping.

Containers

Figs are well-suited to container cultivation. The container by definition automatically restricts the plant's roots.

Plant in a large pot, at least 45cm (18in) diameter, filled with gritty compost (John Innes No 3 with 20 percent extra grit by volume). If starting with a smaller plant pot up gradually, from smaller to larger pot sizes over a number of growing seasons.

Repot about every three to five years when dormant (leafless) in winter. Once the final size of the pot is reached, remove about twenty per cent of the compost and cut away larger roots from the outside of the rootball. Pot up in the same pot filling the gaps with fresh growing medium.

Container grown figs need regular watering and feeding. During spring and summer feed every week. Alternate between a high potassium fertiliser such as tomato food and a general-purpose fertiliser. Water regularly; do not let the compost dry out.

Winter protection

The mature wood of some figs is hardy down to -10°C (14°F) or more. However, the tips that carry the embryonic fruit are vulnerable to frost and a potential crop can be lost during cold weather (the figs produced on the current season's growth seldom ripen in the UK). Protect figs in winter by covering the bare branches with a few layers of horticultural fleece, or by packing fan-trained branches with straw or bracken. Remove the packing by the end April and remove fleece by the end of May.

If possible move container-grown figs to a frost free place such as cool garage or unheated greenhouse, otherwise position in a sheltered spot. Keep the compost slightly moist. Cover the outside of the pot with bubble wrap or hessian (indoors only) to protect the roots and cover the top growth as for soil grown figs.

Pollination

Fig cultivars grown for fruit in cool temperate regions develop parthenocarpic fruit - i.e. seedless fruit produced without fertilisation, therefore no pollination is necessary. The fruiting habit of figs is unusual. The flowers are enclosed within what becomes the fruit therefore they are never visible.

Cropping

In Mediterranean areas figs crop twice. Plants cultivated under glass may also produce a second crop in our climate. However, if outdoor grown in the UK and other cool temperate regions they only usually produce one useable crop a year.

In late spring you will notice embryonic pea-like fruits formed the previous year that will swell over the summer months. They are ripe and ready for picking usually in late summer or early autumn.

You can tell when figs are ripe and ready for harvesting by giving them a gentle squeeze to see whether they are soft. Fruit colour changes, splits near the stalk end or a drop of nectar appearing at the bottom of the fruit are other signs that they are ready. 

Often, in late summer, a second crop of embryonic fruit appears. Larger, more developed fruits are unlikely to either ripen this late in the season, or to survive until the following year so can be removed. Even if they survive the winter, they seldom ripen.

However, if the smaller pea-sized embryonic figs developing in the leaf axils survive the winter (see above for how to protect figs in winter), they will ripen and be ready for cropping that summer.

Figs can be either grown as half-standard or bush trees (including those grown in pots). The initial pruning is similar to training other bush top fruit such as apples and pears.

They can also be trained as a fan against a wall.

Bush or half standard figs

Aim for a balanced open crown that allows light into the centre of the canopy. Prune at three key times of the year:

• Early spring: remove any branches that spoil the shape, or which are crossing or damaged, along with any suckers appearing from the ground. If needed cut back one or two branches that have become too long and bare to a 5cm (2in) stub to stimulate new growth from the base of the branch
• Early summer: pinch out the new growth at five or six leaves. Pinch or cut the tips of shoots when they have formed five leaves at the end of June. Do not prune later growth
• Autumn: remove any larger figs that have failed to ripen, but leave the pea-sized embryonic fruit

Renovation pruning

On overgrown, neglected figs the growth may be extremely leggy resulting in poor fruiting, with long bare stems and the fruit developing only on younger wood at the end of branches. 

• In early spring (Feb) prune out a number of older, bare branches leaving a 5cm (2in) stub if replacement growth is required
• If it is necessary to remove more than a quarter of older branches, spread the pruning over two or three years (in February) to avoid stimulating excess growth
• Renovation pruning will encourage production of vigorous new growth. Select the strongest and well-placed shoots to achieve a balanced shape. Prune out surplus shoots in summer without leaving a stub
• Figs planted without root restriction will always be large

Fan-trained figs

For pruning advice, see initial training of fans and pruning established fans.

Figs can be propagated by hardwood cuttings from suckers or by layering.

Gardeners have a number of varieties of fig to choose from. Below are a selection.

• Ficus carica 'Bourjassotte Grise': large fruits, pale green with purple flush, very good cropper, grow in a greenhouse
• F. carica ‘Brown Turkey’ AGM: very reliable, well-flavoured, mid-season fruit
• F. carica ‘Brunswick’: very long lobed leaves, large purple flushed green, pear-shaped fruit, reliable
• F. carica 'Dalmatie': large green-skinned fruit, deeply lobed leaves, can be grown outdoors in southern parts of the country, otherwise grow in a greenhouse 
• F. carica ‘Ice Crystal’ AGM: distinctive cultivar with attractive deeply divided foliage that turns golden yellow before leaf fall, small fruit, mostly grown for its ornamental value
• F. carica 'Rouge de Bordeaux': blue-purple skin, very good flavour, requires a greenhouse or particularly sheltered, warm wall
• F. carica 'Violette Dauphine': purple fig, requires a warm sheltered spot
• F. carica ‘White Marseilles’: early, pale green fruit

Links

RHS Find a Plant
AGM plants

Figs are generally trouble-free, but may be affected by cold weather, rotting of the fruits, scale insect  and red spider mite especially if grown under glass. Birds may be a problem.

The fruit fly - spotted wing drosophila (SWD) - is likely to become an increasing problem.

Drought-resistant gardening
Fan-trained trees: initial training
Fan-trained trees: pruning established fans
Figs: ornamental (Ficus)
Medlar
Mulberries (Morus nigra)
Overwintering tender plants: wrapping
Quince