Figs are vigorous, productive and long-lived trees, adapted to a wide range of soils.  Their large leaves and luscious drooping fruit bring a subtropical flavor into temperate gardens.  Figs bear two crops annually – the early, light crop, known as ‘breba”, and the later fall crop, known as figs, which tends to be a heavier crop.  If you are in a marginal fig area (climates lacking a long, hot summer season) you need to encourage the early crop to ensure a harvest. This is done by 1)  Selecting varieties with a heavy, early crop and 2)  Pruning lightly or not at all in winter, since the first crop of figs is borne on the previous season’s growth. 

Figs at a Glance