Fig tree is exceptionally prolific this year. There is a fig at the base of nearly every leaf and the figs are much larger than previous years.
(The fig on the right in the above photo will droop when it is ready for harvest.)
I believe the reason I am having a bountiful crop is because this year I am giving the tree extra special attention.
When I wheeled it outdoors (after over wintering in the garage) I sprinkled a handful of lime onto the soil surface, waited 10 days and sprinkled on a handful of organic granular fertilizer. Once plant is fully leafed out and hardened off, I fertilized bi-weekly with fish emulsion fertilizer (at ½ strength). I also placed the container with the fig tree inside another larger container (above right photo) and made sure the outer container is filled with water everyday. (Hired my neighbour’s kid to fill the container daily while I was on vacation.) Because the container is much too small for the size of the tree, I needed to do all this to provide the tree with sufficient nutrients and moisture. Since it is not practical to replant it into a larger container, this fall I will need to prune the roots and repot with new potting soil.
This variety freezes well, so I will definitely try to save some for the freezer.
First fig harvest, Tuesday, 7/31/2012
Aren’t they gorgeous!!!!! Well, 2 did not make it into the photo. They looked ready (were drooping), felt ready (soft to the touch) but were they taste ready? Biting into one (make that 2) is the only way to find out. Both were sooooo sweet, like honey. Oh yes, ready for harvest.
Dug in all the potatoes.
Top tray, left to right: Adrondack red, Purple Peruvian and Fingerlings
Bottom tray, left to right: Blue (from Healthfood store), All Blue and Adrondack Blue. Well, that’s what I think they are. They got a bit mixed up. Will be able to tell better when I cut them at a later date. Click here (and scroll down) to see what the inside of 5 of the varieties look like.
The Red Thumb never produced or perhaps got mixed up with the others somewhere or maybe still buried in the ground. I forgot that I planted the potatoes in a trench and also mounded the plants as they grew. Don’t think I dug deep enough when I was havesting. Planted lettuce seedlings immediately on the vacated site so have to wait until later to find out how many potatoes got left behind. Next year I am going to plant my potatoes in containers (only one variety per container). Will surely make harvesting and keeping track a whole lot easier.
To prevent the critters from nibbling at more of my eggplants, each fruit is now wearing knee-hi’s. Hope they do not suffer in this heat. Click here to see one of the damage.
Other harvests for the week:
∞ Blackberries, small handful most mornings. A few may make it to the breakfast table.
∞ Green and white bittermelons, shared with my cousins.
∞ Brocoli and gai lan side shoots, went into a stir-fry
∞ Swiss chard, shared with neighbour
∞ Oak leaf and cimmaron lettuces. These were seedlings planted in a shady part of the garden end of June and are doing well despite the heat. Harvesting the outer leaves for salad, tender and sweet.
∞ Red and green Chinese long beans. These went into the freezer.
∞ Yellow pear tomatoes, went into the lettuce salad
∞ Pickling and Japanese cucumber. Shared wth friends and neighbours.
Belamcanda chinensis – Blackberry Lily
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Garden to Wok 
There is so much variety in your garden Norma. I am so envious of your beautiful figs. I can imagine how exciting it must be to pick your own figs from your own tree, perfectly ripe and warmed by the sun. The ones I buy are expensive, squishy and definitely not as tasty, I’m sure of that! xx
Hello Charlie,
Oh yes, it was exciting. Once the figs started to color, I checked the tree at least once a day don’t want to miss the drooping figs. I do have quite a variety of items in my garden, 2 of this 3 of that…..
The figs are gorgeous – in NC I had a tree next to my walk – grabbed on every trip from the car to the house. I’m not ready for that much work to grow figs in NY.
Hello Mary,
If you change your mind let me know. I am removing side shoots and will be potting up to give away.
Wonderful harvests. And I love those figs. I keep hoping that I’ll get some in future years. I’m not sure that I can keep the fig alive long enough for it to fruit though. I’ve got it planted in the ground. Here they die back to the ground if you don’t protect them over the winter. I’m going to try this winter and see if I get anything.
Hello Daphne,
My Italian neighbour buries his fig tree for the winter, it is a big production, but he gets excellent harvest. I find it easier and less hassle to just wheel it into the garage for the winter even if it means less fruits.
Wow, growing your own figs! They look lovely and you must put a lot of effort into growing them so nicely. Everything you have harvested looks great. Those potatoes are impressive!
Hello Patsy,
In the beginning of the season, it is a bit of an effort to harden off the tree, but after that it is just fertilizing and watering adequately.
Your fig tree is inspiring! I’m still working on getting my lemon tree to bear fruit…
Hello Leduesorelle,
How old is your lemon tree. I would love to grow a lemon tree but lack a sunny location indoors for it to get through the winter months.
A great harvest this week. Love those figs!
Hello Angie,
Thanks. The figs were very sweet.
I have toyed with the idea of growing a fig in a large pot. Your success is making me think seriously about that idea again. Well done on your harvests this week!
Hello Kitsapfg,
I think you will be successful too.
Those figs look wonderful. Love those little potatoes also. I haven’t dug anymore of mine so probably won’t have anymore little ones by now. Getting too late.
Hello Wilderness,
Thaanks. The figs were really sweet. I really like the fingerlings and they produce well for me.
Figs look wonderful! I’ll have to wait couple of years for mine to start producing. Potatoes look pretty good too.
Hello Jenny,
How old is your fig tree? Are you able to grow it in the ground?
Beautiful garden! You have such a nice variety of plants. Absolutely beautiful figs! I’ve been tempted to start a fig tree for a couple years now, but a meyer lemon tree won out. Maybe when I have more room!
Hello Linda,
Hope you find room for a fig tree.
I’m happy to see you have so much success with the fig in a container. I tried the same thing years ago but never had any luck. The spring crop would be only a few figs. The fall crop was always the heavier crop but never ripened before cold weather. After 3-4 years of wheeling that tub in and out of the garage in the winter, I just left it out one winter.
Hello Dvelten,
My spring crop never mature, the fruits always fall shortly after appearing. I think my fall crop does well because the tree gets full day sun.
I adore figs and you’ve just reminded me to do something with them! I hope you had a great weekend!!
Hello SM,
What are going to do with your figs? Great weekend to you too.
Beautiful images, beautiful food.
Hello KC,
Thanks.
This is why I read your garden blog. Because my keyboard NEEDS drool on it. And now I have to go to the local farmers market and find figs!
Hello Pooks,
You are so funny.
Norma, that is so wonderful! The figs, the potatoes, the berries. All of it is just so great. I would like to grow a pomegranate in a pot and have thought about it. Maybe I should go further and just do it.
Hello Cristy,
Pomegranate in a pot, sounds interesting, I should investigate.
I wish I had the time to be so thoughtful about my fertilizing, etc… looks like it gains amazing results, Norma!
Hello Courtney,
This is the first year that I was consistent with my fertilzing, and yes I got amazing results.
This week’s harvest — and those lilies! — looks terrific, Norma. My Grandpa attempted to grow figs for years, trying every method imaginable to weather them over winter, to little success. He would have pestered you with dozens of questions once he saw that photo of yours. 🙂
Hello John,
And I would be happy to answer everyone of your Grandpa’s questions.
Those figs are perfection my friend, they look incredibly healthy 😀
As does your garden in whole!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hello Uru,
They were so delicious.
Doing great Norma! I love reading these updates 🙂
Hello Alyssa,
I am trying. glad you enjoyed my updates.
Oh Norma, always you have such a nice harvest…they all look so pretty 🙂
Fresh figs…I haven’t had those for a long time, and the potatoes…oh my!
No need to mention that I love to see your harvest every Monday 😉
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Hello Julina,
Thanks. My garden gives a great deal of pleasure. A wonderful week to you too.
You’ve got such a wonderful variety in your harvest! What will you do with your figs?
Hello Zent,
I eat them fresh from the tree. Share with friends and neighbour and trying to save some for the freezer.
I love fresh figs. Our 4 plants in the ground are loaded this year. Now if I can get them to ripen before frost!
Hello Dave,
Do you need to give your in the ground figs trees special winter protection? I cannot plant my tree in the ground. Would love to see photos of your fig trees. How tall do they get.
Amazing that your fig tree produces so well in a pot! And look at all those lovely potatoes you’re planting – I think we only managed to fit in a dozen or so this year..
Hello Celia,
I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the figs this year. The potatoes are lovely. Planted 2 of each variety, thought I would get a better yeild, will see next year.
We’ve only planted sebagoes this year, but last year we didn’t do so well either. We tried growing them in a bag, but harvested the smallest crop. This year we’re putting them into the ground!
Hello Celia,
I was going to grow my potatoes in container next year. Will need to rethink the idea.
Oops, my mistake, sorry, that’s your harvest, not what you’re planting. I thought it was a lot! 🙂
You are certainly having a bountiful harvest. It will be interesting to see if the knee-high protection works.
Hello Karen,
So far I think the knee-hi protection is working, but is it affecting the fruit? Will be posting after observations.
Have made up my mind, definitely have, after reading about your fig harvest! Have meant to buy a fig tree for years, well – still don’t have one, do I, but there are at least three growing within a hundred metres or so of my property! So the soil and the climate must suit and I do love my fruittrees to bits and they love me back . . . 🙂 !
Hello Eha,
How fortunate that you can grow fig tree in the ground year round. It is well worth the real estate and the plant itself is beautiful.
Hi Norma,
The figs look beautiful!
Hello Asmita,
They were sooooo sweet.
O I love figs. I used to ave a fig tree in my (small) garden but made the mistake of planting it in the full soil. Little did I know at the time and the fig tree just grew and grew and grew (not producing many fruits either) so we had to cut it down… But it’s an excellent idea to plant it in a pot with wheels and put it in the garage in the winter! I’m so gonna be getting myself a new fig tree now!
Hello Simone,
The taste of tree ripen figs is just out of this world. Growing it in a container is the way to go if your winters are like ours.
I love figs! I had no idea you could pot the trees! Perhaps one day when I learn to grow things, I’ll try a fig tree. 🙂
Hello Kristy,
I am sure you will have no problem growing a fig tree now.
Figs, glorious figs! My ultimate fruit Norma ! We have a tree in our front yard which is bare at the moment although I did see the first wee little bit of green just yesterday – I expect to see a couple of leaves soon – I hope! I cannot wait for summer to be standing under the coolness of the leaves eating figs straight from tree!
You truly have the most magnificent garden with all that you harvest every week – Wonderful!
🙂 Mandy
Hello Mandy,
Thanks. How lovely that you can have your fig tree in the ground. Sounds like it is a huge tree. Glad it is leafing out and will be laden with fruits in a few months.
I’m excited to see what you’ll do with your figs!
Hello YC,
I eat them straight from the tree.
Incredible, Norma, I cannot believe you have a fig tree in a pot!!! Is your garage heated? do you cover it over the winter? I’m loving that you can grow figs in a pot, so cool. The potatoes are gorgeous too, love the purple ones. Figs are so expensive in Toronto, sometimes they can be as high as $1.99 EACH! This would be a great investment as we love figs. This is a wonderful and easy fig recipe https://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/2009/02/22/dinner-with-kim-and-rob/, a dab of goats cheese with a slice of prosciutto and arugula. Mmmmmm, delicious!
Hello Eva,
That’s a lovely and easy recipe, however my figs do not hang around long enough for me to do anything with them.
No, my garage is not heated. You do not want to over winter the tree in a heated area.
No, i do not cover it over the winter, just check every now and then to see if the soil surface is dry, if yes, I give it a drink.
Hmmm…I’m going to keep my eyes open for such a tree in the future!
Waw! Your own figs already! They look juicy, big & tasty! My figs are still green. Normally, they are ripe end of September! My fig tree is planted in good soil & sometimes, I add extra rich soil especially for fig trees! That helps also! Indeed, they need a lot of water too! 🙂
Your last picture is a beautiful flower! So rare too!:)
Hello Sophie,
Yes, the figs are juicy, big and tasty, each weighing about 1 ounce. End of September, we may already have frost.
What a colorful and beautiful post! You had a real bounty this week, and I am truly jealous of your figs. I made a drunken fig jam last year with a friend who had a fig tree full of them…so good! This year, no figs in sight!
Hello B and B,
Thanks. My figs do not stay around long enough for me to do anything with them. Drunken fig jam sounds delicious. Wonder why your friends fig tree is not bearing fruit this year.
Oh, I’m sure her tree is bearing fruit this year, we just didn’t get together to make jam…nor has she invited me to have some of her figs, LOL! I think I know what my Christmas present will be from her this year.
the figs are especially interesting. I keep forgetting that we can grow them around here! Do you have any idea what day you will be at the dutchess fair?
Hello Dee,
I will be at the fair Wednesday and Friday at 1:30.
Oh wow, you can grow a fig tree in a pot? That’s amazing! My grandma used to tell me that figs are called “no flower fruits” in Chinese.
Hello Belle,
Your Grandma is correct. The literal translation from the Chinese for fig tree is “no flower fruit”.
Norma, coming to your blog is like going to a botanical garden: so resourceful and beautiful! Do you need to put the fig tree indoor to protect from the frost? How hardy is fig tree?
Hello Marina,
Yes, I need to wheel the fig tree, contaianer and all, into the garage to overwinter, then wheel it out early spring and start the hardening off process, this is a somewhat pain-in-the neck process because of the size of the tree.
What zone are you in? Does it get very cold during the winter?
Hello Marino,
I am in zone 5b. Our winter can get as cold as -10F and if you factor in wind chill, it can feel a whole lot colder.
I don’t know too much about figs but I feel like I’ve been educated today. Thanks for this amazing post 🙂
Hello Kay,
You are so welcome.
I’m learning a lot just from reading your blog…you make everything sound so easy even though it’s a struggle in our garden…but if you can do it…I’m sure we could too. Thanks for the encouragements thru your success!
Hello Annie,
Thanks for stopping by. glad you found my blog useful. I have my share of failures in the garden. I try to make thing simple and easy because I am a lazy gardener.
Ah, you lucky thing Norma – all those wonderful figs. I was going to ask you how big the tree was but then I realised that you “wheeled it out” so I’m guessing not super huge. Still yields plentiful fruit it seems though!
Nice job with the “covers” on the aubergines… I hope they solve the critter problem 🙂
Hello charles,
My fig tree is about 6 feet tall and just as wide. I have to tie the branches together before wheeling the whole container and plant into the garage for winterizing.
Your garden is so incredible!! I could only hope to ever has a garden as bountiful as yours, one day. But, this post is very inspiring, thank you for it!
Hello Jackie,
Thanks. I very much enjoy spending time in my garden.