All About Growing Figs

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Illustration By Keith Ward
Just think of sweet fig jam spread on fresh-from-the-oven bread or roasted figs with goat cheese, and you’ll be inspired to grow some of these sweet fruits. If you don’t have much room, plant a dwarf variety.

(For details on growing many other vegetables and fruits, visit our Crop at a Glancecollection page.)

Native to western Asia, figs (Ficus carica) are among the easiest fruits to grow organically in warm climates. Adapted in Zones 8 to 10, figs also do well in Zone 7 when grown in a protected site. In other areas, semi-dwarf varieties can be grown in containers that are kept outdoors in summer and moved into a greenhouse or other protected area in winter.

Figs can grow into small single-trunk trees where winters are very mild, but in temperate climates they tend to grow as broad bushes.

Types of Figs

Eastern figs that are frequently recommended for the Southeast are self-pollinating, and have no open hole at the end of the fruit through which insects can enter. ‘Alma’ bears green fruits that are excellent for drying. The ‘Celeste’ fig has good winter hardiness. Although not as cold-tolerant as some types of figs, varieties with LSU in their name are among the most disease-resistant cultivars in this group.

  • Published on Dec 16, 2013
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