It is thought that fig trees (Ficus carica) originated in Western Asia. Bright green leaves and juicy fruit make these trees a popular choice for the residential landscaping, where they can reach heights up to 30 feet. Even while fig trees are very simple to maintain, they do require the right circumstances and attention if they are to flourish.
In ancient times, these trees were one of the earliest fruits to be produced, and they’re still a popular choice for aesthetic trees as well as fruit. Because they tolerate poor soil and take up little area in your yard, fig trees are an excellent choice for your garden in addition to being a biblical wardrobe staple.
Because of this, I’m going to go out on a limb and propose that if your garden has room for an extra fig tree, you should do so!’ You don’t even need a garden if you have enough space for a plant in a pot.
That being said, let us now discuss all you need to know about planting and caring for a fig tree.
Zones of Plant Perfection
Plant hardiness zones 8 and warmer are home to fig trees, which are native to subtropical regions. However, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station claims that figs need moderate winters to grow, despite their ability to withstand temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. For figs, an early spring rainstorm is also necessary. Fruit ripening and splitting might be hampered if it rains a lot when the fruit is developing.
The fundamentals of fig trees
The fig tree has a long and rich history. People have been eating and cultivating figs since ancient times, dating all the way back to the time of the Bible. In the early 16th century, Spanish settlers transported fig trees from Asia and the Mediterranean to North America.
They’re well-known for their colorful, prolific fruit as well as their huge, broad-leaved trees, which produce amazing shade.
Common Names:
Ficus and banyan trees are also present.
The following are some of the more well-liked selections:
Brown turkey, desert king, Kadota, and celeste are among the most popular fig cultivars of the common fig, Ficus carica (aka honey fig or sugar fig).
Height:
According to cultivar and habitat, mature tree height might vary greatly. Between fifteen and thirty feet high, the most common North American types are cultivated in tropical regions.
Producing Fruit:
Many fig varieties bear fruit twice a year. The breba crop, also known as the early season crop, is harvested in May or June and produces fruit on wood that was harvested in the previous season. Newly sprouted spring figs are at their peak for harvesting. August marks the beginning of the harvest season.
Fig Trees Require Care
Because of their easy-going attitude and capacity to thrive with little maintenance from you, the homeowner, fig trees are popular as fruiting crops. When it comes to tree care, even if they don’t mind being semi-neglected, the following basic guidelines will help them thrive and produce more fruit.
Exposure to the Sun
If you want to grow fig trees, you’ll need an area in your yard that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. A minimum of 7 to 8 hours of sunlight per day is advised for fruit trees in order to yield the most fruit.
Less sun is still good for fig trees, but you’ll get fewer fruits.
Climate
This makes them attractive trees in the South and West because of their ability to survive in climates that are both warm and mild. They can be grown in containers indoors or in a greenhouse in colder climes.
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11 are ideal for fig tree cultivation. Hardy varieties can be cultivated outside in colder climates with harsher winters if they are properly protected. Plants should not be kept outside year-round in regions below Zone 8, but should be grown in containers that can be brought inside during the winter.
Soil
It doesn’t matter if the soil is rich in nutrients or organic matter if it drains effectively for Ficus carica. In locations where sand is common, sandy soil is favored to loams or clays, resulting in their widespread use in the South and West.
It is necessary to soften compacted or heavy soil before planting. Amending your soil with enough of organic matter like completed compost or well-rotted manure and pushing it into the soil between 18 and 24 inches is the greatest method for achieving this goal.
Drainage is more significant than soil pH as long as the pH isn’t too high or too low.
Consumption of Water
There is a period of time when newly planted trees must be watered on a regular basis until their root systems have developed. Mulching the soil around the tree’s base will help keep it hydrated.
Trees require less water once they are established. During the active growing season, try to feed the tree with 1 inch of water weekly, either by rain or regular irrigation.
Fertilizer
Fetching the nutrients it needs from the soil and organic matter, fig trees are low-maintenance and thrive with little to no fertilizer.
If your tree is in need of a boost, though, you can follow the instructions on the product label and feed it phosphorus and potassium-rich fertilizer early in the growing season. Avoid using nitrogen-rich fertilizers since they encourage the growth of lush, green foliage rather than fruit.
The active growing season is the best time to apply a biweekly application of seaweed extract to your tree.
Pruning
The fact that fig trees require so little pruning compared to other fruit trees is one of the reasons they are so popular among homeowners. They tend to keep a clean and tidy appearance on their own, requiring very little of your time and attention. Keeping your tree at a manageable size will be easier if you prune it on a regular basis.
Pruning the tree in the fall before it goes dormant can help it stay healthier by removing any dead or diseased limbs. You can thin your tree to produce fewer, but better-tasting fruits the following season if it becomes overburdened with fruit during the growing season.
Overwintering
The cold-hardy types of figs should be planted in areas where the temperature drops below 10 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Even so, you’ll want to take precautions to keep your tree safe from the bitter cold of winter.
In the winter, bring container-grown trees indoors to keep them warm. Once all of the tree’s leaves fall off, bring it indoors to a cool, dry location. In order to allow the tree to fall into dormancy, many homeowners choose an attached garage or basement as a suitable location. In the spring, when the nighttime temperature reliably rises over 35 degrees, it can be moved outside.
Figs in the ground benefit from simple insulation throughout the winter months. In order to protect the tree, build a burlap-wrapped cage around the tree’s trunk and fill it with dried leaves or straw. To avoid overheating, don’t wrap the trunk of your trees with plastic.
Remove the tree’s cage and insulation in the spring when temperatures rise, and thoroughly clean the area around the tree to avoid illness or pest concerns.
Fig Tree Planting
No need to repeat what we’ve already spoken about the basics of establishing fruit trees.
Where
Decide if you want to place it in a pot or the ground first. Both alternatives have their advantages and disadvantages, but the USDA hardiness zone in which you live has a significant impact on your decision.
Planting a fig tree in the ground is safe in zones 8 to 11, as long as you shield it from the cold. Colder climates should place their plants in a container and bring them inside when the weather turns cold.
When
Plant figs in late winter or early spring, when the trees are still dormant after the earth has thawed out and the frost has disappeared (if your ground freezes during the winter).
Trees should not be planted in the fall because the root system will not have enough time to establish itself before the plant becomes dormant or the ground freezes.
How
In-ground versus container planting will necessitate different steps. It’s possible to follow basic planting instructions by thinking of a container as if it were a hole you would dig in the ground.
One must use a pot that is several inches bigger and deeper than the root ball and a high-quality, well-drained soil mix for growing plants in containers.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Planting a Fig Tree
- Dig a hole somewhat larger than the root system of your tree with a solid digging shovel (I like one with a pointed center). No matter what kind of tree you are planting, you should aim for a hole that is at least twice as big and only 2 to 3 inches deep.
- Spread the roots out with care to avoid breaking or damaging them.
- Make a pile of loose earth in the bottom of the hole and place your tree on it (or container). You can either raise the soil level by a few inches or retain it at the same height as when it was planted in the original container.
- Fill the hole with dirt and gently push it down with your foot to remove any air pockets while avoiding compacting the soil around the roots. Fill the hole with soil. Allow water to naturally settle around the tree by creating a small bowl or depression at the top of the hole. The trunk should not be surrounded by a mound of soil.
- When planting bare-root trees, trim back the top branches to roughly half of their original length.
- Keep the mulch away from the tree’s bark by spreading a couple of inches of mulch around the tree’s base.
- Your newly planted tree needs a lot of water. Slowly add water; wait for it to soak in before putting in more. If any air pockets created while you were filling up the hole, it will be easier to remove with water.
