I have read that towards the end of summer we should stop or cut back on fertilizing our trees. Why is that? Some recommend stopping as soon as early Augest. Also does the zone you grow in determine when you should stop. Those of us in lower zones are anywhere from four to six weeks behind warmer growing areas. Should we cease later in the summer?

The idea is to not push tender, new growth, too close to your expected frost date. You want your plants to be slowing growth and going towards dormancy. In my zone, I don't feed nitrogen after about September 1.

Thanks Gary, what fertilizer do you use after September?

Hi Dave,unless the plant is struggling and needs feeding, I usually don't. I mix plenty of compost, rock phosphate and a potash source like greensand or hardwood ashes into my soil mix, so food is always available as needed.

Great question Dave. Being in Zone 5 and having most of my figs ripening from mid/late Aug thru Sept., I want my plants to be well fed thru the final push and ripening time. I agree with Sept 1 as a last feed time with a water soluble food.  The trees will be well fed thru sept and still have time to go dormant with the cooler nights and shorter days of oct and nov. This timing worked for me last year. All trees came out of the garage in April in great shape.

Thanks Chris. Good to hear.

Hi,
Here frost date is anywhere between 15th october and november.
So I stop fertilizing in August.
If you push the tree, she Will continue to grow and set new figs even in october and here this is so useless.
And of course I need the trees to harden off to prepare next season.
I use slow release fertlizer, So the trees still get some food... needed to harden off quicker.
If you greenhouse the tree ...