Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 52

GEORGIA Gardens

Pruning

Pruning your fig to a bush form
can make it easier to harvest the
fruit, as unpruned trees can reach
30 feet in height. In areas where figs
are prone to freezing, your fig may
stay bush-sized naturally. Prune thin'Little Miss Figgy'
ner or crowded branches flush with
the ground or trunk, allowing a select
number of well-spaced branches to grow strong enough to support the weight of the fruit.

Fertilizing
If plants are over-fertilized, they may not bear many figs or
may drop them before they ripen. Fast growth can also make
them more susceptible to cold damage.
"Some of the most productive plants I have seen in both
South and North Georgia are figs that are growing rather slowly
in yards with lots of sun," Krewer says.
If additional feeding is needed, use a balanced generalpurpose fertilizer at a rate of 1/2 pound of fertilizer per foot of
height, up to 5 pounds per year. Do not fertilize at the time of
planting, but fertilize young plants in March, May and July.
Established plants that are bearing fruit well need to be
fertilized once a year in early spring.

Enjoying your harvest

ISTOCK.COM / NATA_VKUSIDEY

Fig trees generally begin bearing fruit two to three years
after planting. Your figs will be ripe in late summer or early
fall, depending on the variety. Allow them to ripen fully
on the tree.
Figs can be eaten fresh, stuffed with sweet or
savory fillings, dried or made into preserves. They
also pair well with fresh cheeses and salty meats
and make a beautiful addition to a salad.
Helen Newling Lawson is a freelance writer
and Master Gardener in Forsyth County.

Georgia Magazine

September 2019

ISTOCK.COM / ANNA SHEPULOVA

COURTESY SOUTHERN LIVING PLANT COLLECTION

ball or container. Space your fig at least 10 to 15 feet away from
surrounding plants or structures. You also should plant your
fig several inches below the level of the surrounding soil, to
encourage sprouting.
Water well at planting and provide regular water throughout the summer. Mulch the area around your fig to conserve
moisture and limit competition from
grass or weeds.
'Celeste' and 'Little Miss Figgy'
are smaller cultivars that fit well into
containers, a space-saving option that
can also help provide winter protection. Put the container on a wheeled
base so you can move it easily into a
garage or other protected area when
temperatures dip below freezing.

Fresh Fig Salad

Perfectly ripe figs are delicious eaten out of
hand, but they're also great in simple preparations, like this salad. Figs' rich texture and light
sweetness partner especially well with hearty or
peppery greens like arugula.

FRESH FIG SALAD
Courtesy UGA Cooperative Extension
Lemon Vinaigrette
1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
Salt and pepper, to taste
Salad
8 cups arugula or mixed greens
1 cup fresh figs, sliced
1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped
1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled

For vinaigrette: In a small jar with a lid,
combine ingredients for vinaigrette. Shake to mix.
For salad: Place arugula or mixed greens in
a large bowl. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss to
coat. Divide greens among 8 salad plates.
Top each plate of greens with sliced figs, toasted
pecans and goat cheese. Serves 8.

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Georgia Magazine - September 2019

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