Newbie Grower Posting – What I Learned So Far – First Time Growing a Fig Tree
Another member has, in a way, suggested I make a contribution to this forum. However, as I know very little, being a newbie to fig-growing, I can but can share my experiences, so far, as a “one-fig-tree”, “uber-newbie”, “first time starting out”, one tree fig grower. This posting may also: Introduce myself to this forum. Recycle the karma, the help I benefited from, thank you!, from reading this forum. And maybe help other newbies too.
Me & My Fig Tree: I live in South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Right on the USA/Canada border, on the west coast. We have a south facing backyard. But the large trees on the fence line, keep the back half, of the rear yard, in shade. The deck off the house is the sunniest spot, for fruit growing, and fruit growing, as you all know, requires lots of sun. And as the growing location for fruit, in our yard, in on our deck or patio, then container growing is (a?) the solution. (We also have a few apple and blueberry plants, in container too). Further info for those not from the Pacific North West, the PNW has two seasons: very grey and wet, and then, cool (except this year), very sunny, and dry. My one fig tree, Brown Turkey, is now ~ four years old, growing in a 55 gallon container. The container has a water reservoir in the bottom. The tree-in-a-container is growing on a concrete deck that is very warm in the summer. It has survived being left out over the winter, so far, where we have a few days to a week of below freezing temperatures. Overall, it is pretty happy where it is.
Year One: Bought a fig tree (Brown Turkey, 3 foot tall?) on a “whim” from a sells-all-local nursery. The key word in the last sentence, is “whim”. But for what it is worth, I did have other rationalizations: Liked figs, but thought all figs were alike and they were all just like the dried figs in the store. Wanted a shade plant for the rear west corner of the house. Wanted an interesting plant for its architecture. Wanted something easy to grow. Lessons learned, four years later: Don’t buy on a “whim”, especially a plant that is a “specialty” plant. Rather, do your research on varieties, growing conditions, and suitability to your site. Okay, a whim, gets you started, maybe you get really lucky, but research will save you time in the long run. The good news, is that the fig trees sold by the local-sells-all nursery are easy to grow, and one can “get a fig plant” fast and easy. But growing the fig tree that you eventually want, and that works to your niche location, is the way better considerations for years later, and is a way better starting point. Hindsight: 20/20. Foresight: lol
Year Two: Trimmed the plant heavily to structure the shape the way we wanted to provide shade and control size. Then later wondered, where are the figs! That took a while to figure out. Lesson: If you want figs, research trimming your plant. So, year two, no figs, but lots of hope, that next year will be better.
Year Three: Had lots of green figs! Lots. Very exciting. Neighbours thought I was amazing. Then the squirrels ate them all, the night before, I planned to pick these ripe figs. Lesson learned: If you want squirrels, then grow a fig tree. Solution, I used: 3/4”x3/4” plastic bird netting wrapped around the container (over top especially, and bottom too) is an effective four-legged pest control device. So, year three, no figs, but still hopeful, somewhat cautiously though, that next year will be better.
Year Four: Tree is now about ~6 feet tall. Growing vigorously. We grew a fig we could taste. It was sweet, figgy tasting, however not anything like the rich tasting experience I was hoping for. Partially because I picked it too early. Partially because of the tree variety. Lesson: Figs have to look and feel like they are, a cloth sack of sugar, and the skin (nearly,to) splitting in your hands, before you pick them. And while, we have a shade and a conversation plant, I also had other problems to deal with too: splitting (over watering from the barrel reservoir, I think, so now I think I need to drain the reservoir before the figs ripen), and ants nesting in the figs!, to identify two.
Moreover, the biggest issue, for me, four years later, with all the effort, patience, and research, I put out, I now want the fig tasting experience I was hoping for. Lesson learned: 1) See year one. Research what you want, and what will do well in your growing-niche, before you buy a specialty plant. Even better, ideally, talk with a local fig grower. 2) Start out with a plan to deal with pest control, preemptively, as everything wants to eat your figs and will get there before you do. 3) Research everything or learn from experience. Your call.
Other lessons: Growing flowers is way easier than growing a fig tree for the figs. So, consider the bigger commitments, that a fig tree (other fruit trees too) requires (ie: pest control, researching issues and solutions, watering, trimming, fertilizing, winterizing, long time horizon, lots of effort, dealing with problems, more researching, etc); unless, of course, you are happy with an interesting-conversation-shade tree that is also a pay-as-you-like restaurant for squirrels, raccoons, and ants. At least consider a containerized tree, as then one can sell the tree, if you decide to bail from the experience. And, philosophically, maybe keep in mind the rationalization that covers-over many of my situations, it is the journey that matters. However, this time, personally, I would rather say "I got figs!” lol