Figs are delicious and the trees are very easy to grow. Here are a few tips to get you closer to having your own harvest.
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Fig trees like lots of sun. You can grow them in part shade but they produce lots more fruit if in full sun.
Fig trees like to stay dry. Don’t plant them in an area prone to flooding in the winter and autumn, although they do like plenty of water during the growing season.
The soil should be moist, not saturated.
If you decide to plant your tree in a pot, don’t forget pots dry out really quickly, so keep and eye on them.
Like all fruit trees, fig trees respond well to fertiliser, but don’t overdo it. A good slow release fertiliser, worm tea or organic advance are ideal.
Pruning your fig tree while it is dormant in the winter will greatly increase the amount of fruit it yields.
Clean and sterilise your secateurs, remove any dead or broken branches, then clear away branches from the centre of the tree, then remove vertical branches.
This allows more sunlight and air into the tree.
Fruiting branches grow laterally.
Suckers should be removed from the base of the tree.
Pull them by hand if you can, as they are less likely to grow back than if they are cut.
Figs are generally self-pollinating, so you only need one to get a crop.
You will need to protect your tree from birds, they love them as much as we do. This is easily done with a net.
Your will soon be on your way to eating baked figs and making fig jam. Yum.