The figs have been ripening over the last week.  When I saw that first one start to change and swell, I stopped watering near it (it's in ground in garden).  The tree has (had) only 21 figs to start - now it has 15. 

Since they are not ripening at the same time, it hasn't rained here, when should I water?  About 3 leaves (internal, maybe the first leaves to grow) have turned yellow.
I have been watering the neighboring plants, past the drip line of the tree - about 3ft away from the trunk, more in some places.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

By the way, I don't know what variety it is, but it sure is good!  Dark purple skin, amber colored flesh, sweet, figgy, and a hint of tartness that just makes my mouth water when I eat it!  Can't wait till next year!!

Jo Ann,

In ground trees usually don't need watering, unless it is very young? If it is very young a little water shouldn't hurt the fruit. It's when we get large amounts of rain that lasts for hours or days that it can become an issue. 

Yellow leaves is a sign of not enough water.  You're going to have to water the tree but do it sparingly and depending on the outside temp and air temp, you may have to water twice a day.  I have the same problem with my in ground trees.  In my area, the temps were above 100 the past week and I had to water my trees. but I did it using a cheap ocillating sprinkler.  My trees responded and are doing fine now.

Good luck!

It rained last night/this morning sometime, don't know how much. 

Up until I saw the fruit start to swell and ripen, I had been watering the tree as part of watering the rest of the garden to help it get established. The tree is young but I don't know how old.  I bought it in Jan. from a nursery - it was about 4 1/2 ft tall with a couple of small branches on the top 1/2 of the tree.

I am also concerned about how the rain/watering will affect the quality of the fruit - I have 14 left!

Too much water may cause the fruit to taste watery or even split & sour but too little will harm the tree and they may fall. Since the tre's been in the ground less than 1 season it doesn't have the root area to support itself. You need to water it more and probably fertilize after the first 1 or 2 waterings. Give it a moderate amount of water twice per day. How much will depend on what kind of soil you have and how hot it is.

Too much water may cause the fruit to taste watery or even split & sour but too little will harm the tree and they may fall. Since the tre's been in the ground less than 1 season it doesn't have the root area to support itself. You need to water it more and probably fertilize after the first 1 or 2 waterings. Give it a moderate amount of water twice per day. How much will depend on what kind of soil you have (how fast it drains) and how hot it is.