Fig tree (ficus carica)

The fig tree is a beautiful plant that also does very well in our Dutch climate.
You can find almost all information about the fig tree here

The best location for the fig tree

The fig is a Mediterranean plant that likes the sun.
It is also highly recommended to place the fig tree near a wall or in a sheltered area, as this will cause its fruits to ripen faster and it will also be more resistant to frost.
It can also be placed in a spot with less light, but its growth will then be somewhat slower.

Figs on your fig tree

How does the fig tree get its figs?
The fig tree produces fruit not once but three times a year, depending of course on the climate in which it is located.

The fig tree has three sets of fruits

The fig tree has 3 different flowering vases where it will produce its figs.
The bud of the first series of fruits is already ready before the winter; this bud should therefore actually overwinter. In the moderate climate of Belgium and the Netherlands it can happen that these buds freeze and that the first series of fruits does not come out. However, this is the only series of fruits that will definitely ripen in our northern climate. The second series of fruits can also ripen in exceptionally warm and long summers, but that is not so often the case. The third series has no chance of ripening in our climate.
It is possible to achieve this in a greenhouse.

How can I tell when the figs on my fig tree are ripe?

This depends on the species you have, in most cases this happens from August/September, but you can also see or feel this in many species.
As soon as the figs of the Brown Turkey fig tree variety ripen, you can see this from the colour, which turns dark purple. Sometimes the fruits also burst open a little.

How long will my own figs last?

Unfortunately, figs do not keep very long. We therefore recommend eating them immediately or freezing them if you want to eat them later.

When to prune the fig tree?

The fig tree is a strong plant that can actually be pruned without damage.
The best time to prune your fig is in the spring, because sap production is then minimal.
To prevent the fig tree from bleeding to death, be aware that the sap released can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

To prune the fig tree properly, we recommend using short pruning shears, as this will create a smaller wound and allow the plant to recover more quickly.

The best time to prune the fig tree.

The best time to prune your Dutch fig tree is during its dormant period,
This rest period is from November to February.
We advise against pruning the fig tree later.

What to do in winter with the fig tree

Fig trees are very hardy in the open ground, but sometimes it can get extremely cold in the Netherlands (minus 20). We then recommend protecting the ground around the fig tree and, if possible, wrapping the trunk.

Fig trees in pot

Once your fig tree is in a pot it is more vulnerable to frost than in the open ground.
We therefore recommend that you wrap the pot well with bubble wrap so that the roots cannot freeze.