Any Fig Fanatics?

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

We have several fig trees. Mostly brown turkey (15-20?), black mission (1) LSU gold (2).

Last year I got a lot of figs from the brown turkey trees. I had read/watched they needed to be pruned (see Lazy Dog Farms youtube). I barely got any off this year. So much for that. I will let them alone the following year (2026) and see how they fair.

When I pruned them back I propagated about 10 new BT figs. One of those is about 5 ft already since Feb. I ill be planting the propagated ones soon. I have a fig patch I am building out.

Figs left unpruned can reach 40-50 feet as seen by the one up at Monticello. I am planning to control the height to under 10 ft so for easier picking. I am also experimenting with a method called "espalier". I have a section on the farm that used to be seedless grapes. They didn't make it so I am redesigning the rows (10* 125') to something different. I have started one row of the espalier and figs. Still have a few grapes but looking for ideas to make the most of that area.

It's always a wise idea to get the soil tested where your figs are /will be. That can affect "performance" of the trees along with moisture.

the below pics are a snapshot of our fruit tree farm. White area is figs, yellow is pawpaw, Green is plums and apricots, red is pears, purple are winegrapes (they are now a place holder for when I can get them back like I want them. The second picture shows the 10 rows of the seedless grape rows I am redesigning. White is the espalier in place now.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

WHOA!!! That is one happy fig tree. That one filled out FAST.

Just looked at my picture of bringing them home, looks like my memory is failing!

They are the two pots on the left side, so maybe 12"-14" ...

 

[HawkinsHollow]

We have several fig trees. Mostly brown turkey (15-20?), black mission (1) LSU gold (2).

Last year I got a lot of figs from the brown turkey trees. I had read/watched they needed to be pruned (see Lazy Dog Farms youtube). I barely got any off this year. So much for that. I will let them alone the following year (2026) and see how they fair.

When I pruned them back I propagated about 10 new BT figs. One of those is about 5 ft already since Feb. I ill be planting the propagated ones soon. I have a fig patch I am building out.

Figs left unpruned can reach 40-50 feet as seen by the one up at Monticello. I am planning to control the height to under 10 ft so for easier picking. I am also experimenting with a method called "espalier". I have a section on the farm that used to be seedless grapes. They didn't make it so I am redesigning the rows (10* 125') to something different. I have started one row of the espalier and figs. Still have a few grapes but looking for ideas to make the most of that area.

It's always a wise idea to get the soil tested where your figs are /will be. That can affect "performance" of the trees along with moisture.

the below pics are a snapshot of our fruit tree farm. White area is figs, yellow is pawpaw, Green is plums and apricots, red is pears, purple are winegrapes (they are now a place holder for when I can get them back like I want them. The second picture shows the 10 rows of the seedless grape rows I am redesigning. White is the espalier in place now.

Quite the envious orchard you have there!!

I have heard the BT figs are not the greatest for fresh eating, is that true? In my research I have found that there are differnt kinds of figs in the way they fruit. Brebas figs put fruit out on last years wood, maybe your pruning had something to do with that.

I have heard of that espalier method, basically training them to grow up against a wall or barrier is the way I understood it. But I guess you could train them to grow up a trellis, which is I imagine what you are doing if that was old grape vine area.

Yeah I want to train mine to gr=ow low as well, easier to pick. How far apart are you growing your trees?

 

[kenmbz]

My fig tree, pruned back to about 6 feet, is now about 8 feet tall and will need pruning again this winter.
I get about 5-10 figs turning ripe each day and have been dehydrating them.
I think they are the Chicago variety.

I had one at my first house too. In both plantings they were facing south with the house blocking the wind.

I get many pounds of figs each year, but leave some for birds and bees/yj.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Thank you. Lots of work behind the scenes. My Fig trees in the "orchard" are 20 ft apart. In the espalier I have them 10 ft apart.

Right now I have the LSU gold and Brown turkey figs on that same row.

OH.. I ordered brown turkey figs and Celeste from Willis Orchard in 2010. We as you know it takes a while to get good fruits from any fruit trees. Fast forward about 5-7 years come to find out, I have what I think is a honey fig instead of a celeste. Same kinda thing for many of our pear trees. I ordered some asian pears along with several other varieties. Well about 5-7 years I find out several of the pears are bradford pears. Makes a 3/8 in football shaped fruit. Ticked me off. I don't buy from Willis Orchard any more.

 

[kenmbz]

Bradfords are famous for dropping branches if I remember correctly?

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Bradfords are also very "thorny" and cross pollinate with your other pears ... They grow wild (invasive species!) in SW Missouri, I cut down every one I see on my property!

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

You could make a crucifixion crown with the bradford limbs. Brutal.

 

[Alan W.]

My wife also loves figs. We have the Turkey variety planted next to the house for as much winter protection as possible but in this bottom we live in the temps drop to where it dies back to the ground. Always comes back with a passion but I have to pinch the tips to force the fig production before frost. I am going to have to remove some of them because they will spread and take over.
I also have two potted Chicago varieties that we keep in large pots we over winter in the basement. Have another variety that is also potted but it is very slow growing and hasn’t produced yet.
I would add pics but we are on vacation.

 

[ultrarunner]

In 1985 bought a home with a very old decrepit fig tree… home built 1910.

I asked and was told came from the ground of the old Spanish Mission San Jose.

Mom planted a shoot and the tree produced so muc she no was selling at the produce store for about 20 years until the Pandemic.

Large deep purple and very much sought after…

Many co workers given shoots… some great producers and others not so much.