If you have newly planted fig trees in your yard, you may not have any fruit on the branches just yet. If that is the case, you might be wondering when fig trees bear fruit, and whether you are doing something wrong.
So, when does a fig tree produce fruit? Common fig trees produce fruit starting as early as May or June, and will continue fruiting as late as the first frost of the season (October or November in some areas). A fig tree will produce fruit 1 to 2 years after planting. Some fig tree varieties can produce fruit twice in one year, first in spring or summer and then in fall.
Of course, depending on the variety, it may take longer for your fig tree to start producing fruit. There are also factors such as improper pruning, over, fertilizing and environmental conditions that can delay fruit from forming. Let’s take a closer look at fig trees, when they bear fruit, and the factors that affect your harvest.
When Does A Fig Tree Produce Fruit?
Some fig trees bear fruit as early as May or June, and continue producing until the first frost of the season, in October or November. It is also important to remember that some varieties of fig trees can produce fruit twice per year once they are mature.
The first harvest of figs is called the Breba crop, and usually occurs in May or early June. This early Breba crop of figs ripens on the last year’s branches. Sometimes, these figs are inedible, or have a poor flavor.
The second harvest of figs usually occurs in late September to early November. This late crop of figs ripens on the current year’s branches.
Common fig trees, or ficus carica, are self-pollinating. However, keep in mind that self-pollination does not mean guaranteed pollination – more on this later.
Do Fig Trees Produce Fruit Every Year?
No, fig trees do not produce fruit every year. Most fig trees will need at least 1 to 2 years before they grow to maturity and can start producing fruit.
Also, keep in mind that common problems such as frost injury, over pruning, and over fertilizing can further delay the production of fruit, possibly by a year or more.
Remember that if you plant a seed harvested from a fig tree, you may end up growing a tree that will never bear fruit. To ensure fruit production on fig trees, buy established trees from nurseries.
For more information, check out my article on the difference between organic and heirloom seeds, and my article on the pros and cons of hybrid seeds.
How Much Fruit Does A Fig Tree Produce?
Generally, a mature fig tree that is 1 to 2 years old will produce 20 to 60 figs per tree in a year. Assuming each fig weighs 2 ounces on average, you would expect 40 to 120 ounces or 2.5 to 7.5 pounds (1.1 to 3.4 kilograms) of figs per tree in a year.
As the tree matures and grows larger, you can expect more figs over time. However, keep in mind that if you buy a dwarf fig tree, the size of the tree will be much more limited, as will your harvest of figs. A large, mature fig tree can produce hundreds of figs in a year.
The fruit on a fig tree can be yellow, yellow-green, purple, or brown, depending on the variety. Fig trees can grow up to 30 feet tall or higher and live up to 200 years, so you can definitely get your money’s worth in the long run by buying a fig tree!
What Kind Of Fig Tree Should I Buy?
When selecting a fig tree, make sure to choose one that you can grow in your climate! For more information, check out the USDA Zone Hardiness Map to find out which zone you are in.
Here are some different varieties of fig trees that you might want to try.
- Chicago Hardy Fig – this tree grows in Zones 5 to 10, and produces medium purple fruit that matures in July through first frost. Bears fruit in 1 to 2 years. Can produce two harvests per year. For more information, check out the Chicago Hardy Fig on the Stark Brothers website.
- Brown Turkey Fig – this tree grows in Zones 5 to 9, and produces small to medium brown fruit that matures in June. Bears fruit in 1 to 2 years. Can produce two harvests per year. For more information, check out the Brown Turkey Fig on the Stark Brothers website.
- Celeste Fig – this tree grows in Zones 6 to 9, and produces small to medium brown fruit that matures in July. Bears fruit in 1 to 2 years. For more information, check out the Celeste Fig on the Stark Brothers website.
- LSU Purple Fig – this tree grows in Zones 7 to 10, and produces medium purple fruit that matures in July through first frost. Bears fruit in 1 to 2 years. For more information, check out the LSU Purple Fig on the Stark Brothers website.
- LSU Gold Fig – this tree grows in Zones 7 to 10, and produces large yellow fruit that matures in July to August. Bears fruit in 2 to 3 years. For more information, check out the LSU Gold Fig on the Stark Brothers website.
- Kadota Fig – this tree grows in Zones 7 to 9, and produces yellow-green fruit that matures in July through first frost. Bears fruit in 1 to 2 years. For more information, check out the Kadota Fig on the Stark Brothers website.
All of the fig trees listed here are self-pollinating (more on this below). You may want to grow your fig trees in containers, especially if you need to bring them indoors for the winter in Zones 5 to 6 or lower.
For more information, check out this article about growing figs in containers on the Stark Brothers website.
Do You Need Two Fig Trees To Produce Fruit?
For common fig trees, you do not need two fig trees to produce fruit. The reason is that common fig trees are self-pollinating.
A self-pollinating tree has flowers that contain both a male and a female part. When conditions are right, the male part of the flower will release pollen onto the female part of the flower.
However, self-pollination does not mean guaranteed pollination. The flowers still require some sort of stimulus, such as a bee’s buzzing wings or the wind, to pollinate properly. You can provide this stimulus with an electric toothbrush if there are not many bees in your area.
For more information, check out this article on common figs from Wikipedia.
In addition to common figs, there are 3 other types: San Pedro figs, Caduceus (or Smyrna) figs, and Capri (Male) figs. Each of these has different pollination requirements.
San Pedro fig trees do not need pollination for the first (Breba) crop of figs. However they do require pollination for the second crop of figs.
Caduceus (Smyrna) fig trees need pollination for both the first (Breba) and second crops of figs. Without pollination, they will produce no fruit at all.
Capri (Male) fig trees produce non-edible figs.
What Other Factors Affect Fruit On Fig Trees?
Of course, the quality of care that you provide to your fig trees will play a large role in determining how much fruit you get each year. Some important factors that affect fruit yield include temperature, watering, fertilizing, and pruning.
Temperature
Fig trees historically developed in warmer climates, such as the Mediterranean and the Middle East. As a result, some fig trees cannot tolerate excessive cold or frosts.
If you live in a cold climate, these trees in a container should be brought indoors for the winter. However, this may become impractical as the tree ages and grows larger.
Remember that fig trees put down deep roots very quickly. If your container has holes in the bottom, a fig tree can easily root itself to the ground in a season.
Some fig trees can withstand temperatures down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius). However, if temperatures threaten to drop into the single digits (less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or -12 degrees Celsius), it is wise to bring the trees inside if possible. Remember that young fig trees are more sensitive to cold and frost damage.
If a frost threatens after flowers or fruit have formed on your tree, consider using row covers to provide some protection. For more information, check out my article on protecting plants from cold and frost.
Watering
Keep an eye on young fig trees – you may need to water them frequently. Avoid letting the soil get too dry, and also avoid keeping the soil constantly soggy. For more information, check out my article on over watering.
For older fig trees, give them deep, infrequent waterings. This stimulates the root system to grow deeper and wider, rather than remaining shallow and staying near the surface of the soil. This will help the tree to survive periods of drought or neglect.
For more information, check out this article on figs from the California Rare Fruit Growers website.
Fertilizing
Before planting your fig tree, work some compost into your soil. This will provide organic material for your tree, along with some important nutrients needed for growth. For more information, check out my article on how to make your own compost.
You may also need to use fertilizer to supplement certain nutrients, especially if you have poor soil in your yard. The best way to determine how to proceed with fertilizer is by getting a soil test. For more information, check out my article on how to do a soil test.
Finally, remember that it is possible to over fertilize your fig trees. For example, too much nitrogen can prevent your tree from producing fruit.
For more information, check out my article on over fertilizing, and my article on low-nitrogen fertilizers.
Pruning
Pruning is recommended for young fig trees. Prune your fig trees in the winter, and make sure to do so before March. When pruning, wear gloves for protection, since sap from cut branches can irritate your skin.
For more information on pruning figs, check out this article from the Permaculture Research Institute on growing figs.
You can also espalier your fig tree using a trellis. For more information on trellises, check out my article on how tall a trellis should be.
Conclusion
By now, you have an idea of when figs are mature enough to produce fruit, and what time of the year to expect fruit. You also know a bit more about how to take care of them and avoid problems that can affect your harvest.
I hope you found this article helpful – if so, please share it with someone who can use the information.
If you have other types of fruit trees, you might want to check out my article on when a pear tree bears fruit, my article on when a cherry tree bears fruit, and my article on when a peach tree bears fruit.
If you want to read some of my most popular posts, check out the “Best of GreenUpSide” page here. Enjoy!
~Jonathon
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