In previous years, the birds have gotten my figs, so I bought a big net.  Now we've had back to back days in the high 90''s, even 100's.  Also little water.  In years past, I never watered my tree and still got plenty of figs...for the birds.  Well I went to check on my fig and saw massive fruit drop.  I feel like if it's not one thing, it's another.  Is it the heat, water or both that most likely caused this recent occurence?

I would guess it's probably due to the reduced water. It's been very hot here, and no fruit drop--but I've been watering regularly.

Lack of water.  I water twice a day.

Two plagues down, that means you only have eight more to go . . .

But seriously, it probably is due to lack of water.  I had this and Jon suggested heavy watering.  I did and the fruit drop stopped.

Or . . . maybe next it's locusts, then lice, and and then flaming hail . . .

And I go out today and find the two ripe tomatoes that I've finally gotten from my 6 tomato plants were gone.  Corresponded with another poster earlier about my meyer lemonlets being taken as well.  Those suckers don't just grow back overnight.   I'm really getting discouraged.  Fending off critters is about to be too much work for this lazy gardener.  Posters have suggested that it might be chirren stealing my stuff, but you know those pests stay indoors nowadays.  It's either birds, squirrels or the yappy dog next door. 

They say "Good fences make good neighbors', but when it comes to hungry critters it should be "Good cages make good neighbors." Since you can't cage the critters, you may have to cage your plants instead. Good luck!

Hi Ireiley,
you mention
 I'm really getting discouraged.  Fending off critters is about to be too much work for this lazy gardener. 

Well if it comes to that there is one very very Last Resort that will work but its not for person that has established inground fig plants here and there probably 99.9% of folks on forum. But would work if just planting newer fig plants or veggie garden  in a grouping .

 Something like a chicken coupe what ever size is needed plenty tall and plenty long for ones needs, no solid wood roof , make flat type roof of the wire just plenty of small diameter chicken coupe wire framed with wood you have full sun and rain to come in top and sides. 
If built right (may not look pretty ) But no birds , dogs, etc will get in to ruin fig plants or veggie garden.
Well a Bear might rip it apart.   ; ) 
Thats a last resort and the critters will probably hate you for it.

Hi Martin. 

In our area, the deer practicely fight you for the groceries on the way into the house.  So after some considerable frustration (and a few choice words here and there), I finally built a 50x40 foot 7.5 feet tall chicken wire fence around our garden with a gate.  It's the best thing I ever built by far and works great.  I think it cost me about $700 total, but it could be done for less by buying less expensive materials (I used black pvc covered "deer fence" chicken wire and black steel poles ordered on the Internet; with some nice cedar posts bought locally for corners), but it works great and actually looks pretty good too.

I'm probably going to go with a long tunnel frame with bird netting to protect the fig hedges.

Best wishes to all.

John
North Georgia Piedmont
Zone 7b

John,
If you are so inclined, would you post pix of your fence?  And do members of REM still spend much time in Athens?  In my salad days, I used to visit Athens hoping to get a glimpse.  Just saw the B52's a couple of days ago here in town.  Funny to see all those 50 somethings (audience) dancing to Rock Lobster.

Wow.  "Rock Lobster" that does take me back a bit.  I'm often "heading down the Atlanta Highway" but just going to Atlanta, not the "Love Shack." 

Athens is actually a pretty cool place.  I'm a lawyer, so I know lawyers, not musicians, but their lawyer was kind enough to give us a personal tour of the REM headquarters.  Nobody was there at the time, except for staff, but we got to see their "MTV" awards, etc., and the headquarters, a lot of fun.  They sound like really nice guys.  And yes they are still around I hear, along with many other musicians.  It's a pretty big music town, and a great university town.  Great place to live, and except for too hot and too long summers for my taste (I'm originally a Midwesterner) the climate is pretty good 3 out of 4 seasons.

I'm practically Amish when it comes to technology, but I will see if I can get my wife to post some pictures of the garden fence.

Best wishes to all.

John