they got osmocote top dressing, and some dolomite garden lime. i put two holes in the soil and just pour lime in there. last few yr top dressing the lime made big mess. i'm hoping this will help. MG fertilizer will start in about 2 weeks. 

Pete,
I apply the Miracle Grow liquid fertilizer with the first major watering. The trees are breaking dormancy and could use the initial nutrient boost. I don't use slow release fertilizers, it takes time, moisture and warmth for the slow release fertilizers to break down and add nutrients into the soil and may not be available for weeks after application. I use Espoma-Tone Organic fertilizers and even they need time and warmth to start breaking down the nutrients, to be available to the trees.

The reason for the initial MG application is that the roots will start growing long (weeks) before the buds break and the early fertilization will aid in healthy leaf and root growth.
       .

pete, 

i'm waiting for the next low temp to pass before putting the MG on. most of my trees broke bud in the garage sometime ago. i held off on fertilizer since i didn't want them to go crazy on me in the garage. way i used to do it is put osmocote on the top, and MG every week. usually that will promote good vegetative growth. i'll taper down toward the early summer, but keep on giving fertilizer until july/aug since our season can do into oct/nov depends on the yr. 

Does fertilizer have an impact on the fig taste? I've heard that a few times...

the reason for cutting fertilizer off when the figs are swelling is mostly to cut down on the watering. if fig gets too much water, or liquid fertilizer, there is chance that it will leach out the flavor and also split open. i haven't heard of fertilizer giving off flavor. 

Ditto to what Pete said in post #6.

No effect on fruit itself although nowadays i cut it off sooner as i have good idea when they will go thru ripening period as
there documented when the embryo's first appear.

Then when fruit are spent they get a mild boost with no ill effects to help them before the onset of a long winter here.
These are elders not toddlers.

This year, I am ahead of the game. It was a great weekend......well at least it was Saturday. Rained all day Sunday, but it wasn't a washout. I unwrapped my trees. Bagged the leaves. Cut the grass, threw out some weed and feed. Gave my trees their first organic dressing of 6-2-3. Dug up my Lamperia. It was in a bad spot but had a good root system. I placed it in a pot. Worked 7hrs in the orchard. Now, I'm in bed with the flu.

Pete,
Thanks for the clarification. I get the reason for the MG fertilizer being applied later. From my observations, if you are able to keep the soil dry, even with temperatures that induce bud break (50's nights and 60's days) , the trees will usually still remain dormant. 


Mike,
Healthy plants will typically produce healthy fruit. Comparing "apples to turnips", Figs and Collard Greens both have high calcium contents, when Collard Greens are grown in soil or mixes that are deficient in calcium, they have poor growth and resulting poor taste and nutrient content. Proper balanced fertilization will usually result in better tasting produce.


Kelby,
Reducing water when the figs are ripening will usually produce more concentrated flavors. Decreasing nutrients available to the plants will usually result in less than healthy plant growth and reduced fig production.

What types of fert do you guys use? I have 2 small in ground fugs(maybe 1-2 ft tall) that I put in last year. I have given them anything ever. What's a good mix for spring?

fertilizer choice is rather personal. some prefer organic. some not. i tried organic last yr and wasn't too impressed with it. but i know lot of others only use them and getting good results out of them. i would suggest trying different things to find your specific need. i go with osmocote slow release as back up, and MG soluble fertilizer every week during spring and early summer. 

Bullet- are you talking about the liquid 10-10-10?

Mike,
For my in-ground trees, Spring fertilizer application:
Saturate soil (at least 10 gallons) with Miracle Grow General Purpose fertilizer 24-8-16 @ 1 Tablespoon / gallon of water... (initial Boost)
2 cups of pulverized Dolemite limestone / 25 sq Ft area... (Calcium and Magnesium)
2 cups Espoma-Tone  / 25 sq ft area... (Macro / Micro nutrients and Inoculates soil with Microbes)
spread 1-2 inches of compost... (Fertilizer and bedding for earth worm)
Cover compost with Pine Bark Mulch or Pine Shavings... (Ground Cover and eventual compost / fertilizer)

My fertilization schedule for potted plants was posted here... http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1278563825&postcount=16

i tried 10-10-10. that worked well. but, i prefer more balanced ratio or what they call balanced. something like multiple of 3-1-2 or something. MG and osmocote both have them.

for awhile also tried blooming fomular thinking that will push figs, but didn't notice much difference.