Fig Tree

[Gardenwitch]

Hi everyone, forgive me if this has already been asked but I searched and didnt come up with what I was looking for.

On my allotment along the South east coast of England, there is what looks like a Brown Turkish type of fig tree growing. Most all the leaves are gone but there are several gorgeous green figs on it with new growth buds at the top of the branches. One fig is just starting to turn a pale brown color.

My question is when is fig harvest time and do I need to do anything to keep this tree in lovely order and health? Thank you for your kindly help

[Capsid]

This was on Gardener's World on Friday. You should pick off all the figs now as they won't amount to anything and all the plant's resources need to go in producing next year's fruit for a summertime harvest.

[Gardenwitch]

Oh I had no idea thank you Capsid for the advice I'll be plucking this week then, when in summer would the next harvest be ready; is it around August time?

[Capsid]

Oh I had no idea thank you Capsid for the advice I'll be plucking this week then, when in summer would the next harvest be ready; is it around August time?

Yes, late August is when they ripen.

[Galileo]

Yes this was on Gardeners World last Friday. The little figs if left on the tree over winter will not come to anything.

I read this was because the skins on the little figs harden in the frosts and cold weather over winter and cannot begin expanding again when the warm weather returns and eventually just drop off.

Galileo

[Stacey Steve]

In the book "The Fruit Expert" it says that the embryo fruits need to stay on the plant as they are next years fruit.

If you can't move the tree into a greenhouse, the each embryo needs to be wrapped to save it from frost, then the tree itself needs to be fleeced to protect it from frost damage.

[Gardenwitch]

thanks everyone very helpful xx

[womble]

You can watch GW on the BBC playback thing, it will be there until the next program airs. What I saw, was him leaving the tiny tiny figs and removing the bigger ones which hadn't ripened this year.

[vicky]

Just to confuse you...I know a chap with a fig tree in a sheltered spot (in his walled garden, lucky sod!), he covers the tree against frosts (actually his gardener does, but...) and the immature figs ripen earlier in the year. He manages to get two crops from the tree!
I can't imagine this working in many situations through, so back to picking the immature figs for you!

[bluemoon]

I pull off all fruits larger than say half an inch in diameter, then leave the very small ones on for next year, I don't do anything about frost protection, but they are at home in a sheltered spot, if they were on my exposed lottie I'd have to think about using fleece, but if it meant wrapping each individual fruit I doubt I could be bothered.

[Gardenwitch]

Thanks again everyone I found Garders World on Telly and online so got caught up also plucked my green figgies off so next summer should be bountiful and composted the green ones. You lot are fab thanks

[Mcbee]

Looks like you are well sorted with your figs GardenWitch. I'm still looking to buy. If you're interetsed in getting any more have a look at this site Reads Nursery.

[Gardenwitch]

Thank you Mcbee the site looks great for grapes I'm still looking for