Harvested first figs this past week.
Figs
Picked 10 figs, 5 did not make it into the photo, the above 5 disappeared as soon as photo was taken.
One of the fig question I am frequently asked is: How do I know when my fig is ready? The following photos should, hopefully, help.
Figs
In the above photo the fig on the left is plump and starting to change color but still standing upright. Note all the green figs are standing upright.
Figs
In the above photo the fig on the left is starting to droop, can be harvested at this stage but I usually wait another day or 2. The fig on the right is plump and should be changing color soon.
Figs
The fig on the left is now a darker color soft to the touch and is sweet. Depending on how anxious I am to pop that baby into my mouth I may harvest at this stage or wait until it has drooped a bit more (the fruit neck will show signs of wilting) at which stage it is even sweeter (sometimes you can see nectar oozing out) but then the ants and other critters are also waiting so it becomes the battle of who gets there first.
NOTE: The above color reference pertains to the variety of fig I have. There are many varieties of figs with different color when ripe (from light green to black) so go by how the fig is hanging and not the color.
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As I mentioned in last Harvest Monday’s post, woodchuck ate my broccoli, kohlrabi and kale. However, it left the collard greens alone, I guess collard is not woodchuck’s favorite brassica.
Collard Green
The above collard greens were very tender. I blanched both the leaves and the ribs and froze for making soup later.
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Not sure of the 2 beet varieties in the photo below. They are the “give away” seedlings for the volunteers after plantings are completed at Locust Grove Heritage Vegetable Garden (LGHVG).
Beets
I microwaved the beet roots, peeled, cut into bit-sized pieces, tossed with rice vinegar, a bit of salt and sugar, made a lovely simple pickle.
Cut the greens into bite-sized lengths, stir-fried in a bit of oil, garlic, onion, S&P to taste and a dash of balsamic vinegar (would have preferred lemon juice but had none). A tasty and simple side.
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The Chinese Long Beans are producing well. Like the cowpeas (aka black eyed peas) they are related to, loves hot weather so I should be getting abundant harvest as high 80’s and 90’s are predicted for the next 10 days.
Chinese Long Beans also known as Yardlong Beans, Asparagus Beans, Snake Beans, Bora & Long Podded Cowpeas
To learn more about Chinese Long beans (aka yardlong beans, asparagus beans, snake beans, bora & long podded cowpeas) and recipe click here.
The radishes in the above photo were the ones interplanted among the napa cabbage in window box.
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Radicchio on the other hand does not like hot weather, fall planting will yield better result.
Radicchio
Didn’t think the radicchio on the left will turn red as it was starting to show signs of bolting so I harvested it. Don’t know why the radicchio on the right is oblong instead of round.
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Due to the hot dry weather we are experiencing, the Forellenschluss Lettuce was showing sign of bolting so I harvest all.
Forellenschluss Lettuce
In case you are wondering what happened to the 2 lettuces in the front, a rabbit had them for dinner.
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Also harvested but no photos are red noodle long beans, peppermint Swiss chard, sweet potato vines, tomatoes and herbs.
High temperature and dry conditions are predicted for the next 10 days. Sure could use some rain.
Last Saturday evening we had thunder and lightning and I was positive we would have a down pour, not a drop, but a friend living about 10 miles east recorded 1½ inches of rain, so not fair.
Happy gardening!
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Garden to Wok 
Another great harvest week, Norma. Those figs are beautiful.
Hello Angie,
Thanks.
The figs are amazing. I tried to grow figs here, I actually have two fig trees (in containers), but they have never produced a fig. Nice collards.
Hello Susie,
How old are your fig trees? How do you winterize them? If you keep them as a house plant during the winter months they will not fruit that’s my experience.
The figs look beautiful and they definitely made me hungry. This is the time of year I love to use them. It has been hot and dry here too. We’re returning today and I’m hoping Miss A’s tomatoes and my flowers are still alive. I had someone watering them, but we’ll see…Enjoy your week Norma. 🙂
Hello Kristy,
I hope Miss A’s tomatoes and your flowers survived looking forward to seeing photos. Hope your trip home was a pleasant one.
Wonderful tips on harvesting figs. I have no idea how long my trees will take to actually bear fruit; I’m just hoping that I can keep them alive and thriving so that I get a chance to use your tips at some point!
Hello Margaret,
Do you know how old your fig tree was when you acquired it? You may get figs next year.
I have no idea how old they are, but they are about 2′ tall. Not exactly huge, but not the smallest ones at the store either.
Hello Margaret,
I am guessing your fig tree is at least 2 years old you most likely will get figs next year. Give it some lime or a piece of cinder block.
Your beets and radicchio are so beautiful. Were your radishes super spicy from being grown in the summer?
Your fig tree is so huge, it looks amazing. Baker Creek was selling a collection of rare figs which I’ve been eyeing for awhile.
Hello Phuong,
No the radishes were not super spicy I think it is because I have them in a window box on the east side of the house where they are exposed to morning sun only. Go for the fig trees, fun to grow and low maintenance. I would love to grow different varieties but lack over wintering space.
The figs are beautiful.
Hello Ray,
Thanks, they were sooooo sweet.
Can’t wait for our figs Norma. Currently not one leaf to be spoken of on the tree. Can’t wait for Spring to see the beautiful leaves.
Have a super day.
🙂 Mandy xo
Hello Mandy,
Before long, spring will arrive in your part of the world and you will be posting photos of your figs. A super day to you too.
Yum figs. We are waiting for rain too. It has been way too dry here this spring and summer. Only June gave us good rains.
Hello Daphne,
I thought I lost one of my tree peonies but after a good soaking it came back. Will need to soak again this week.
Ahhh fresh figs! I can’t seem to find good ones anywhere.. 😦
Hello Ronit,
To get good tasty figs you have to grow your own.
I guess you’re right. A shame it’s not an option for me…
Hello Ronit,
Perhaps not at the moment but who knows what the future will bring.
You are so right Norma. Thanks! 🙂
Hello Ronit,
🙂
The figs look wonderful and good tutorial on when to harvest them. Also interesting to hear that foot-long beans and cowpeas are related. I’m trying to see if I can grow some zipper cream peas for green peas. Now that it is hot and august, they seem to be growing but I’m not sure the season will be long enough.
Hello David,
Thanks, the figs were so sweet. Had to look up and learn about zipper cream peas, looking forward to reading about your harvest.
You got figs already? I’m still waiting for mine. The beans are beautiful, I didn’t grow any YL beans this year.
Hello Mac,
When you do grow YL beans what varieties do you grow? Do you prefer one over the other?
I’m not a fan of YL beans but hubby likes it, I grow a few plants each year for him, but I haven’t found a green YL bean variety that I like, maybe I didn’t pick them at the right time.
Hello Mac,
Have you tried Red Noodles? They are meatier than the green ones.
Your figs looks amazing Ms. Norma. And I am so in love with your collard greens. You’re going to make me come to your garden and try some out with you :). You are just making my mouth water. I wish this was in my kitchen right now.
Hello Kia,
You are welcome to my garden anytime, just hop on Metro North at Grand Central and I will pick you up at the Poughkeepsie station.
so sorry that woodchucks and rabbits are raiding your garden. That lettuce looks really nice in a tub. you might put the tub up out of the reach of the rabbit. We are plagued by roof rats and opossums. Dave at Happy Acres contends with deer. And we all are at the mercy of the fickle weather.
Hello Lou,
That was the one night I forgot to put the lettuce tub out of the reach of rabbit.
I wish we could grow figs, it’s one of my favorite! I’ll trade you for some watermelons! 😛 We just started picking beans, gotta pick more tonight for dinner!
Hello Pamela,
You are able to grow just about anything on your rooftop garden, why not fig especially since your winter is about 10-20 degrees warmer than where I am. I imagine you could leave the container outdoor the whole year?
Wonderful harvest this week. The figs look so plump and juicy.
Hello Rachel,
Thanks. They were sweet also.
Wow Norma, your garden is magical. I reckon figs are one of the fanciest fruits around, they cost a fortune here, even when they are in season. But worth it I guess, especially when you wrap them in prosciutto & stuff with a gooey blue cheese & drizzle with balsamic reduction…. Gahhhh!
Wish I could raid your garden too. 🙂
Hello Anna,
Figs are expensive here also even when in season. I am guessing the reason is (even though easy to grow) because they are delicate and highly perishable. You are welcome to come and raid my garden, I have more than enough to share 🙂
That was a massive storm that blew through Ontario, so much rain and so heavy. I’d send some down your way if I could. I had to smile about the bunny eating the lettuce for dinner.😀 you’ve got a great harvest of figs, thank you for the ripeness tutorial, very helpful.
Hello Eva,
Happened again today, major thunderstorm less than 10 miles northeast of us and we got not a single drop. Glad you found my fig tutorial helpful.
Figs! If we had figs, I’d guess that they would have magical disappearing abilities, too 😉
Wonderful harvests this week, as always! Enjoy every bite!
Hello Melissa,
Figs harvest for the past few days did not make it into the house so there will be no fig photos in future posts until I get a good crop.
I have been enjoying every bite of all the crops.
Hi Norma, what a great harvest you had especially the figs. Wow! to have your own tree, that is very special.
Hello Cheri,
Figs are easy to grow send me a note if you would like growing info.
We’re having very dry conditions too. I love your images of the figs as they head towards being ready for harvest. It does sound like a lot of your produce is being eaten by animals – they must love your backyard! xx
Hello Charlie,
I wish the animals and other wild life love my backyard less.
I love Chinese long beans – are they hard to grow? PS. Those figs are nice!
Hello Alyssa,
Chinese long beans are very easy to grow, require trellising but a fence will do.
A good harvest, so versatile too! My figs are not ripe yet this year but there are many, many on the tree! 😦 x
Hello Sophie,
I am sure your figs will ripen soon and you will writing about all the dishes you create with them.