Fig-tastic Beginnings: Growing Together in the Garden
Hey there!
I’m Elin, Eric and Kari’s eldest (aka the OG nursery kid), and I’ve recently joined the nursery team. You might remember me from back in the day when I was on staff—or if you’ve been a long-time customer, maybe I sold you a rolly polly, stick, or rock as a child! The nursery has always been my home base. The last few years, I’ve been diving deep into my gardening journey, learning more about the earth, growing food, and starting my own small foodscape design business called Blueberry Hill Designs (a little nod to the nursery, the song, and the nickname my mom gave me when she was pregnant).
Each month, you’ll hear from me right here on the blog, where I’ll dish out tips and tricks on permaculture, earth care gardening, food growing, and native gardening. I’m beyond excited to be back at our family nursery and grow alongside all of you. Interested in learning more about growing your own food? Sign up for the Berry Patch E-newsletter where you’ll get quick tips, reminders, the occasional plant joke and special newsletter-only deals! Let’s dig in!
Fig-uring It Out
This month, I want to kick things off with one of my all-time favorite fruits—the elegant and enduring Fig. Its sculptural branches bring winter interest, its broad leaves cast dappled light, and its delicious non-fruit has endless uses. (Yes, you read that right—figs aren’t technically fruits!) Let’s break it down.
Fun Facts About Figs:
- Not Really a Fruit?
What we think of as a fig is actually an inverted flower! Essentially, it’s the stem of an inflorescence—fleshy and enlarged—housing the tiny flowers inside. And, might I add, a very delicious one. - Wasp-tacular Pollinators
Fig flowers are pollinated by teeny-tiny wasps (not your average bee, but they get the job done), and the fig/wasp relationship is fascinating. - Where in the World?
Native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia, figs have adapted so well to North America that they’ve naturalized in some parts of California. - Family Ties
Believe it or not, figs are part of the Mulberry family (Moraceae)!
Growing Figs Like a Pro
Figs are versatile—they can thrive in both the ground or containers, making them perfect for various garden spaces. Many varieties do exceptionally well in Georgia. Our nursery favorite this fall is the Brown Turkey Fig, bred for cold hardiness and vigor. These beauties can reach a sprawling 10-30 feet tall and wide, but don’t worry—you can prune them to stay smaller and even shape them into a tidy tree form.
Here are a few pro tips to keep your fig trees happy:
- Figs love full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Too much fertilizer? You’ll end up with lots of stem growth but fewer fruits.
- Prune during the winter when the fig is dormant. A heading cut (cutting part of the stem) encourages new shoots and more fruit below the cut, so leave 2-3 feet of the old stem for best results. Most varieties of figs will only produce fruit on NEW growth so you gotta prune!
- A thinning cut removes stems at their origin, perfect for increasing airflow or light to the lower branches. Keep in mind, that thinning cuts won’t stimulate new growth like heading cuts do. Head to our youtube video on fig pruning for a quick guide
- If you’re growing figs in a pot, strategic cuts can keep them small, and every few years, you can trim the roots to keep them healthy and happy.
- For a true fig nerd I highly recommend Lee Rich’s Book: Growing Figs in Cold Climates (great for all climates and Lee is just an incredible gardener)
These hardy edible beauties rarely need fertilizing and are generally pest-resistant, but here in the Southeast, there’s one potential pest you should know about—the Ambrosia Beetle. While rare, it can wreak havoc if not dealt with properly. If you spot any signs, it’s crucial to cut and destroy the infected wood to prevent further spread. But don’t let that bug scare you off!
I’ve experienced it firsthand. Last summer, one of my favorite trees—a massive Brown Turkey fig planted in the 1950s—was completely taken down by ambrosia beetles. We had to cut it to ground level, and it was heartbreaking. But, in true fig fashion, that resilient tree has already grown back to a stunning 6 feet tall and will be loaded with fruit next year. Figs really are remarkable, resilient, and forgiving!
Fig Friends:
Some great companion plants for figs are comfrey, wildflowers, strawberries, lavender, rosemary, marigolds, nasturtium, chamomile, thyme, and sage. They not only look great together but help each other thrive in the garden.
Fig-tastic Recipes to Try:
- Fig Cookies (Because who doesn’t love a good cookie?)
Thanks for joining me on this mini fig adventure! If you have any fig-related questions, feel free to email me at elinrose@autumnhillnursery.com. And if you need help picking the perfect spot for your fig tree, swing by the nursery with a picture of your yard, and we’ll be happy to help you out.
