Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Any reasonable moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Figs grow well in large containers.
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Position
A sheltered site in full sun. In colder areas grow against a south-facing wall with a frame that makes it possible to install a plastic cover in winter. Figs grown as pillars or espaliered plants can be planted closer - 18in (45cm) apart, and gradually thinned to the best specimens.
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Frost tolerant
Figs easily tolerate periodic frosts, but hard freezes (temperatures below 25°F/-4°C) can lead to death of branches and dormant buds. Cold also can kill plants back to their roots, from which new plants often re-grow.
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Feeding
Topdress the root zone with a balanced organic fertilizer each spring, and mulch with well-rotted organic matter year round. When growing figs in containers, apply liquid tomato feed every 2-3 weeks once fruits appear.
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Companions
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Spacing
Single Plants: 1' 11" (60cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 1' 11" (60cm) with 1' 11" (60cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Set out plants in early spring, just as they are emerging from winter dormancy. Where winters are cold, try growing figs in containers that are brought into an cool place in winter.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Figs produce fruitlets which flower the following year and produce fruit.
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Harvesting
Fruits are ripe when the skin feels soft and starts to split when gently squeezed. Figs can be dried or made into fig preserves.
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Troubleshooting
May suffer from red spider mites when grown under cover. Can be controlled using soft soap or by increasing humidity. Net figs to protect from birds, squirrels and wasps. Even with netting, ants sometimes invade the open centers of figs.
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