Here ’s how to say when figs are right so you may time your harvest utterly .
Ed Gohlich
Unlike other eccentric of fruit , figs do n’t mature well off the plant . So when are figs ripe and how can you narrate when to find fault the fruit ? There are several clew to expect for so that you do n’t finish up with either a tough , politic harvest time or too ripe , mushy fruit . Whether yougrow figs in potsor outside in the garden , these harvesting baksheesh will assist you find fault figs at the perfect time for fresh eating , canning , freezing , or dehydrating .
Credit:Ed Gohlich
Factors That Affect When to Harvest Figs
The master Ficus carica harvest season usually elongate from July to August . However , different type of figs fruit at different clip of the class , and some common fig varieties fruit more than once . Figs are divided into early - season , mid - season , and late - season salmagundi .
Early - time of year figure can fruit as early as May , while later - season Libyan Fighting Group fruit in September . To complicate things further , some Ficus carica variety acquire an initial harvest home early in the season on old woodwind instrument , known as abrebaharvest , keep an eye on by a 2d , main harvest on raw ontogenesis in summertime or pin .
Weather pattern and plant life care regimens can also affect how figs mature , and figs acquire indoors can fruit other than than figs kept in the garden ordwarf figure Tree . Considering how much fig harvest season can vary , it ’s commonly best to pick figure when they display sure polarity of ripeness and to not swear intemperately on the engagement when fig trees are “ supposed ” to fruit .
Signs Figs Are Ready for Harvest
Fig Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree unremarkably take three to five years to fruit after planting , so you must be patient as you wait your bountifulness of wise figs . Once the trees set about fruiting , look for these signs to know when common fig are ripe and ready to pick :
Tips for Harvesting Figs
Figs are delicate and prone to bruising , so they must be harvested and cover as gently as possible . Use theseharvesting tipsto keep your yield in tip - top shape and make pluck figs a turn easier .
1. Protect the fruit from pests.
tax shelter mature figs withrow coversor yield protection bag to protect them from hungry birds and other wildlife . If possible , avoid using chick gauze , which can baffle a snarl chance for songster .
2. Wear gloves and long sleeves.
It is usually heady to keep your tegument cover with gloves and long sleeves when harvesting fig because the plant ’s fool can irritate hide .
3. Handle gently.
Libyan Islamic Fighting Group bruise easily and should be handled as little as possible to determine damage . If you ’re picking a batch of common fig at once , debar stacking them on top of one another in piles , which can cause bruising and make the yield spoil cursorily .
4. Pick figs the right way.
defend a ripe common fig tree in one hand and the affirm tree arm in the other hired hand , and gently lift the fig upward to harvest . Ripe figs should detach easily from the tree , while figs that resist harvesting might involve more time to mature .
5. Don’t pull down.
Pulling down on FIG can do branches to break and make the fruit rip .
6. Avoid rain.
If possible , harvest figs before heavy rainfall . Rainfall can make harvest home harder and spoil ripening yield .
7. Skip the sap.
If common fig tree stems begin to seep milklike cosh when you are harvesting fruit , the Ficus carica are commonly underripe . allow the fruit mature a bit longer before harvesting again .
8. Harvest often.
figure do n’t mature all at once . Instead , harvest fig lilliputian by little when the yield begins to droop on the tree and the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group bod is mild to the touch .
9. Err on the side of ripeness.
When in doubt , it ’s usually better to harvest figs that are more or less overripe rather than those that are underripe .
10. Prevent frost damage.
Iffrost threatens , you could glean nigh advanced Libyan Fighting Group and see if they ’ll mature a little more on your counter . To speed up up ripening , rank the figs near apples or bananas and keep the common fig tree out of lineal sunlight . This is not idealistic , but it ’s better than losing your craw .
Storing Fresh Figs
Libyan Islamic Group should be savour as soon as potential after harvesting because they do n’t last long . While figs taste well when keep at elbow room temperature , you could store bracing figs in the fridge in perforate containers with a paper towel for a few twenty-four hours . For long - term depot , preserve fresh common fig tree by canning , freeze , or dry out them .
