Unbelievably
EZ to Grow, Healthful, Delicious
!
Did you know some figs have a jammy texture and taste better than strawberries?
Some figs taste like honey, cantaloupe, peach or even orange or cherry!
There are many misconceptions about figs, like they all have the same “figgy” flavor or just are watery and not at all sweet.
Well, my friend that is WRONG!
– Here’s why –
Flavors
I used to think I didn’t like figs. Only because I never had a good one – until I grew some myself.
WOW!
What a delicious surprise!
I know it’s hard to believe a fig could be better than a strawberry or a raspberry and one the the tastiest fruits you’ve ever had.
Sadly, most have never had a good fig – because the only way to experience it is from a fully ripe fruit of an excellent variety.
The best way to get these CRAZY GOOD figs, is to grow them yourself.
It’s Really Easy!
Fig trees can produce ripe fruit in as little as a year or less, even in a pot.
They are super easy to grow, very productive and easily managed. And, it costs very little (almost nothing) to get started.
This is why so many people are passionate about growing and sharing figs (across the USA and even in Canada, Zones 4 – 11). Including all your figgy friends here at figroots.com. We are here to spread the love of growing your own fruit.
The day you start planting fruit trees, you become a link in a chain connecting fellow growers over thousands of years and all parts of the globe. You can enjoy the fruits of your labor, help provision for yourself and family, have an immediate positive effect on your environment and pass on a legacy to future generations.
KEEP GROWING!
How do I get started? You might ask.
Well, it’s actually very simple. All you need is a stick (cutting) from a fig tree that produces (good) fruit.
You plant the stick and, magically, it grows into a new fruit tree!
The process is miraculous and wondrous to watch, even if it didn’t give delicious, sweet fruit – BUT IT DOES!
So where do you get a stick?
You could buy one on ebay or Etsy (I wouldn’t – more on that later), or from a trusted source online.
One of the best places to get cuttings when you’re starting out though, is from a friend or neighbor that already has a tree. If you don’t have one, join an online community (forum) and make a friend. Cuttings are often shared among friends all around the country – another great thing about figs!
It’s easy to see why collecting fig varieties has been popular in some areas for thousands of years. What else grows more of itself and provides a variety of tasty treats? – Pardon me, my hens are raising a ruckus!
In addition to a cutting, you will need a pot or bag and some potting mix, coco coir, sphagnum moss or some of any of the many types of media used for rooting fig cuttings. Read more about the different methods here.
If you are even more eager to get your own trees growing, you can order already rooted cutting/baby trees from some trusted sellers in the late spring through early fall, as many people root extra cuttings in the early spring.
There are also commercial nurseries, like Trees of Antiquity, Stark Bros, etc., that sell trees of larger sizes – and sometimes the Big-Box stores carry fruit trees for very affordable prices. But be aware, they have been know to move potted trees across state lines w/o regard to spreading diseases in the soil (like the dreaded Black Fig Fly) and you can’t always depend on the tags/varieties to be accurate, so I would avoid the Chain Store Retailers).
Because the VARIETY makes a huge difference in the flavor, quality, ripening time and even suitability for a region, it is critical obtain the correct varieties. Since it usually takes a year or more (sometimes 2-3 years) to verify the fruit is correct to type, obtaining your plants and cuttings from a trusted and reliable source is especially important.
STOP! DON’T GET SCAMMED – MANY HAVE!
Always do your homework on any source you are consider buying from.
Search online see if they have an ESTABLISHED and POSITIVE reputation among former happy customers – check the forums, online reviews on sales sites (like eBay) don’t mean anything because the review window closes before the fruit type can be tasted.
If you aren’t 100% CERTAIN they are a top-notch and well established seller, then it’s best to keep your money in your pocket my friend. It’s best to avoid buying on eBay, Etsy, Facebook. Look for sellers with established independent websites, especially those that specialize in Figs and have a physical address and telephone number posted. You can also search the records for their state to see if they have a nursery/nurseryman’s license.
Trees grow quickly, but finding out you didn’t get the variety bought is very disappointing, and avoidable.
We have links to trustworthy sources posted here on FigRoots.com, for which we get nothing in return. We have no affiliation with any other sites or sellers in any way. We will ALWAYS be a source of independent, accurate and trustworthy information. Our goal is to help as many people as possible grow their own fruit.
Visit the page Trusted Sellers.
Your success is our mission.
Once you have obtained a cutting, you will need a potting mix. A good choice for novices is “HP Promix”. You can probably get it at a farmers coop, garden supply center or some big box stores. Promix is good for beginners because it already a good blend and widely available, but can be a bit expensive, so for a more cost-effective mix, visit this Page on Potting Mixes.
In a pinch, cuttings can be rooted in water (some always do it this way) or in sand or soil from outside. There are some risks to using soil (like Root Knot Nematode if you are Florida or some other areas, so it’s best to avoid local soil until you know it’s safe).
Next you need to get your cutting and stick it into firmed potting mix that is about 70% field-capacity. This is one simple rooting method, but we have a great guide on lots of other Rooting Methods.
Put the pot in a nice sunny spot and DO NOT water for the first week. For more in-depth info go to this link.
After it is rooted with roots all over the pot that is called “root bound” it is time to pot your fig tree into a “3 gallon” nursery pot. (Note it is important to pot up before June or so because your plants might go into shock if you pot up too late.)
After you pot up your plant you should start fertigating every time you water, I recommend you use a water-soluble fertilizer (for more info visit the section on fertigating). You will need to water in summer depending on how hot it is.
In the winter you will have to bring the tree in or, if it is in-ground, protect it from the cold. This could be as simple as covering it with a bucket or a barrel, or make a teepee and string some Christmas light bulbs on it – this depends a lot on your location so see Winter Protection for more info.
You may will likely get figs the first year and definitely by the second year, but it will take three years for your fig tree get well-established. That’s when they will really start to produce a lot of high quality fruit.
All Right! You’ve made it through the winter and it’s springtime. Your tree has budded out and is nice and green with little leaves sprouting out. Time to plant in-ground if you are in zone 8 or higher.
Now we’re in the summer and it is probably pretty hot so you should definitely water your plant regularly as it will take several years to get established in-ground. You may get fruit this year but don’t count on it. Just keep waiting and sit tight.
As the changing of the leaves comes the threat of the imminent freeze.
(Need more info on rooting i.e. you don’t know what field-capacity)? Go to Potting Mixes.
We want to make figs easier and more fun for you to grow by giving you step-by-step tutorials. If you need more information, just go to the forum or post a comment, we will get you growing!