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Fig Trees

Fig Tree
Ficus carica


History of the Fig 
Biblical references to the fig establish it as one of the plants in the Garden of Eden and indeed the earliest form of clothing.  Sumerian records of 2500 BC show us that it is a very ancient plant indeed.  Romulus and Remus were suckled beneath one by a she-wolf, and the Romans almost certainly bought the fig to England, although they were not officially introduced here until the early sixteenth century.
Caring for your Fig Tree
Keeping a figs root run restricted will ensure bumper crops and this can be achieved by planting your fig tree in a pot under the ground.  The branches can be trained into an attractive fan shape against a sunny way to ensure your fruit receives lots of sunshine in order to ripen fully.  When the fruit is swelling in the summer ensure that it receives a regular water and if you are feeling particularly generous a high potash fertiliser such as a liquid tomato feed will be greatly appreciated.  

Drying Figs to enjoy the fruit year round
Nothing can be beat picking fresh figs, still warm from the sunshine.  A bumper crop of figs can be easily enjoyed so that even in the darkest winter months you can still enjoy a little taste of summer.  Simply cut the fruit in half and lay skin side down onto a baking sheet, then gently dry for about 12 hours within the oven with the oven door slightly open on the lowest setting possible. In the unlikely event that we have a particularly dry, warm summer they can be dried outside.   Your figs will keep well in the freezer and when removed will last for a couple of weeks. 

Top Tips
When you start to notice little cracks appearing on the skin of your fruit you know it is fully ripe but be quick because neighbouring birds will be only too happy to help themselves so cover your tree with netting to prevent theft.