Position – Full sun is required for good fruit setting. Plant your fig tree at least 5 to 6 metres away from any buildings or other trees to allow its roots and canopy to spread comfortably.
Size – Most mature fig trees grow to about 6 to 8 metres tall, with a similar spread.
Soil Type – Fig trees can grow in most types of soil as long as the soil is well-drained and contains plenty of organic material. They do not like acidic soil, so use ordinary organic compost to keep the pH up.
Watering – Water your fig tree every second day after transplanting it. Thereafter, it will need a good soaking once a week, if there has been no rain.
Mulch – Mulch well to help prevent weeds and keep in moisture for the roots. Use organic mulch like grass cuttings, wood chips or straw.
Pruning – It’s best to prune your tree during the winter by removing suckers growing on its base. Cut away dead and diseased wood. The main branches can also be cut back.
Fertilising – Fig trees are so easy to grow and they rarely need fertilising. A fig tree that gets too much nitrogen produces less fruit and is more susceptible to cold weather damage. Use a general-purpose fertiliser with an analysis of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10. If the tree does not fruit properly, it is likely you are overfeeding it.
Harvesting – Figs don’t ripen once they’ve been picked, so be sure that they are ready to enjoy before plucking them. Generally, they are ready to pick once they hang down and are not perpendicular to the stem. They will also change colour as they ripen (the colour depends on the species).
