How long does it take for a fig tree to bear fruit?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Fig trees take patience, but they reward you with delicious, sun-ripened fruit. The first step is choosing a variety suitable for your USDA agricultural zone. My first Celeste fig tree produced its first crop in just 18 months due to being potted with restricted roots.Ensure your fig has great drainage and remember that wet soil will kill more trees than frost will.
Soil & Planting
- Mix 40% compost with 30% perlite for container drainage
- Bury graft unions 4-6 inches deep in cold zones
- Space ground trees 15-20 feet apart
Water Management
- Deep water 2x weekly during fruit formation
- Reduce to 1x weekly post-harvest
- Use mulch to retain moisture in arid climates
Pruning determines the size of your harvest. Cuts made in dormancy remove dead wood, and pinching in the summer sends more energy to fruits. I lost a crop because I pruned too much, so now I intentionally only remove up to 25% of the growth per year. It is also important to sterilize your tools with alcohol to keep diseases from spreading.
Defend against pests through organic means. The neem oil sprays will manage mistletoe and aphids while not harming pollinators in your garden. For the fig beetle, bait some traps with ripe fruit and check them often. My worst fig beetle issue happened because I did not harvest my fig trees every day. If the figs are overripe, you will attract every insect in a quarter mile!
Read the full article: How to Grow Figs: Expert Tips for Thriving Trees
