4 Reasons Your Fig Trees WON'T FRUIT [And How To FIX It!]

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you found this video helpful, please *LIKE* it and share it to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 🙂 TIMESTAMPS for convenience: 0:00 Introduction 1:20 Problem #1: Wrong Fig Varieties 3:22 How To Grow Figs In Shorter Seasons 5:46 Problem #2: Sun Requirements 7:45 Problem #3: Fertilizing Figs 12:15 Problem #4: Not Pruning Figs 14:05 Pruning Fig Trees Requirements 15:39 Complete Fig Tree Pruning Demonstration 19:13 Pruning: BEFORE And AFTER 22:23 Adventures With Dale

[@lisakruger5289]

Dale is such a good boy! We've never had a dog that would stand that still when they heard the word walk! :)

[@donnabrooks1173]

Dale is so absolutely cute. He is also loveable. I have to do a hard pruning on mine this year. Thank you, Anthony.

[@zhaiders]

I watched all your videos. Your presentation is super informative, and explained well. Keep up the good work!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching. I'm glad the videos are informative.

[@happicloud1]

❤

[@gioknows]

Up here in zone 5 I cut the fig trees almost to the ground and cover them with two feet of leaves/mulch at the end of the season and they always grow back the following year. There's NOTHING quite like figs. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada🍁

[@Uriaad]

Good info. I'm also in zone 5. May I ask which fig trees you grow in ground

[@gioknows]

@@Uriaad I forget most of the names but I have "Chicago Hardy", "Brown Turkey", "Red Italian", "Sweet Diana", "Atreano"...and a few others. I had a bad yield last year (well compared to most years) so I'm really excited this year.

[@Sahib-e-Qiran]

How tall they can reach in peak every year？

[@Uriaad]

@@gioknows Really appreciate this info. I will try this next winter. But do you have a picture or link to someone video of putting 2 feet mulch as I assume it will get blown away​. How do you hold it in place. And what kind of mulch do you use? Wood chips? Grass clippings? Leaves? Thanks again!!!

[@purewonka]

I have a fig tree in the ground that I haven’t pruned in seven years, and it’s still producing more figs than I can eat. I’m also in zone 8. That one tree gives me a big bowl of figs just about every morning during the month of August. I have multiple fig trees in the ground. Some I grow for fruit, and I prune these trees. Some I grow for shade that I only lightly prune so branches don’t obstruct walking paths, and they still produce fruit. Chicago Hardy is the variety that produces the biggest crop of figs for me.

[@kimfroman2023]

He didn't say you would never get figs. He said if you are not getting figs, pruning could be the problem.

[@christopherashby8256]

I feel spoiled by having the best gardening KZbinr give climate specific advice when hes 1 county over from me

[@TheMillennialGardener]

😂 I appreciate it!

[@robertpaul50n]

Same, I'm in duplin

[@matbrown687]

Onslow

[@TheRooflesstoofless]

Same same, Onslow

[@TheRooflesstoofless]

@@TheMillennialGardenera local meet up would be fire. Or you could tour our gardens!

[@biscuit7910]

God bless you for sharing your knowledge. Awesome vid. I've watched several pruning vids in the past, but none ever showed why they made the cuts in a particular place. Thank you for teaching us about the node direction. Darling Dale sure is a good boy. Such a gentle sound he is. Well manored.❤❤❤❤

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks! I tried to cram as much info as I could within ~20 minutes. Dale is a very good boy. He is well-rewarded for his behavior, so he's using on his best behavior to get more favors 😄

[@TamaraLMJ62]

Great video. I just got some figs, they are just baby sticks right now, but I have high hopes. I went back and watched some of your past fig videos. This has inspired me to start my fig collection!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Time flies. Those trees were all sticks 6 years ago sitting on my kitchen table waiting to root. Now, they're monsters. It's amazing to see how they've progressed.

[@loveandlavender11]

🤣🤣🤣 Dale is such a good boy! He brings a smile to my face every video. Thank you so much for this video! I’m determined to grow my first fig tree this year because you make them look so good. I’m in the Midwest (5b/6a) and this info was super helpful!

[@loveandlavender11]

By the way, will you be selling your cuttings this year?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I would suggest growing them in a large container in your area. Growing in ground would require cold protection. I would recommend trying them in containers first before trying in ground.

[@loveandlavender11]

Ok, that’s the direction I’ll go then. Will you be selling your cuttings this year? I’d love to get my hands on an Olympian and a Smith. The only thing sold in my area is Chicago Hardy.

[@duanemcguffey9483]

When you said this video was for me, you were absolutely right. Thanks for all the valuable info. I will try to do as you say and will keep my fingers crossed that I finally get some figs!

[@rockyusa2012]

Great advise. I purchased my first fig tree last year and looking to add my second this year.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Excellent! Growing figs is addicting.

[@karenbearden6198]

I think you're the most informative channel out there! Our fig tree is pitiful. Also, I enjoy when you share a bit about Dale. :)

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I appreciate it! Please try incorporating some of these tips. Give it an aggressive haircut, spread 1-2 cups of an organic fertilizer in a circle around it, dump a big load of compost and mulch around it in a circle (I'm talking 3 solid inches of compost with 4-6 inches of mulch on top), and see what happens. I think you'll be surprised. Dale says hi 🐶

[@michaelmosley254]

Awesome anthony i like the fig videos its just crazy how fast they grow and you do a very good job explaining everything your doing snd why

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That’s why figs are so awesome. They are the best beginner tree. They fruit within 1 year, grow 10 feet tall in 2 years and grow back immediately if you make a bad cut. They’re the best trees to learn on.

[@HopefulHarvestMission]

So much great information. Sending Dale some ❤I can’t wait to move to a warmer zone so I can grow figs! My zone 3b-4a zone prevents me from growing so much of the stuff I love!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That is cold 🥶 😅 A warmer zone would, literally, change your life. The possibilities really open up if you can get to Zone 6 or warmer. Things get really fun at Zone 8+ 🙃

[@56onfilm]

Thank you for posting this great instructional video! Over the years, your videos on fig trees have given me both the inspiration and the knowledge to develop a propagation and growing system that works well for me here in Michigan. Probably some of the best videos on fig growing available on KZbin!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm so happy to hear that! I really appreciate it, and I'm really glad the videos have helped you have success in Michigan. Figs in Michigan is great!

[@Nimbus350]

Our Desert King, in our PNW climate, pretty much breaks some of these main rules, especially regarding pruning. I've been cutting it back for a few years, but last year learned it's primarily a breba crop producer in our area, since we have neither a caprifig nor the fig wasp needed for pollination to get the main crop to set and ripen. Because of this, I've learned that while pruning is very necessary, it has to be done differently. Brebas set on last year's wood, so basically I'm going to be cutting branches back in alternating years, to stimulate production wood while still being able to harvest brebas. And they're delicious, despite what I keep hearing about them!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Desert King will not produce a main crop unless you colonize the fig wasp (which doesn't exist in Oregon), or you own a caprifig and have the ability to manually hand pollinate. Desert King will only produce breba crops since it is a San Pedro type. That tree has to be treated entirely differently, and is a rare exception where a fig is not grown for its main crop. Here in the Southeast, figs do not hold onto their breba crop and drop virtually 100%, so I grow solely for main crop.

[@telasims233]

Chris at Oregon Figs loves his, He lives in the PNW and has such a short season, he grows for brebas.. check out his page. And yes the PNW does break a lot of rules, just totally different climates..

[@Nimbus350]

@telasims233 love his channel! He has quite a few varieties, I'm surprised he hasnt tried to colonize the wasp in his backyard 😂. It was from his channel that I learned about the DK and just how wrongly I was treating ours.

[@telasims233]

@Nimbus350 I've watched it since his first 2 Lil fig trees. But I was working a full time job, I have a 5 acre property and I was collecting knowledge when I retired.. I retired last year, and I collected enough knowledge where I bought 11 varieties, all climate specific, and every one fruited!! He does give AMAZING information. Anthony and I both live in a zone 8 humid climate maybe that's why his info was so helpful to me.. really check out Oregon figs, his DK Is AMAZING and his specialty is varieties that grow in the PNW.. according to Chris, Anthony has given him advice..

[@Anonymous-ip4qx]

Other gardeners that I watch on KZbin also have good advice, but a lot come across as cocky and annoying. You not only have fire gardening advice but seem like a person I would genuinely drink a beer with. Cheers, my friend 🍻

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I appreciate it. I try to make my videos to be encouraging and motivating. My motive is to get people to try growing new things. To me, it is the ultimate reward.

[@sandraclark8413]

Thank you I will prune my tree😊

[@michelledenise5096]

I’ve never heard anyone talk about pruning and how the direction of the node matters…WOW! Great job, thank you so much! (Coastal Alabama zone 9)

[@robinchristensen1657]

Thank you. Seeing the pruning and the tipping cuts is helpful. My Olympian fig was so successful last summer despite my lack of pruning so I am really excited to prune my 4 fig trees aggressively for the first time.

[@MissWoggy]

I so much appreciated this timely video! I have been trying to learn what to do with my fig tree and you just told me everything I need to know. Thank you! 😊

[@85steveperry]

Outstanding video! Thank you for all the great info you put out!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@casey6826]

Thank you so much for your videos! You share a wealth of information and I love watching and learning. I live in central NJ, zone 7b and have only one fig, Chicago Hardy. It's about 10 years old. It's planted on a burm surrounded by a line of pine trees which shelter it from the wind. It originally got plenty of sun, but through the years the pine trees have gotten so much taller. Fortunately it gets mid to late day sun. I've always pruned it in the fall before covering it for the winter. Some seasons have been prolific, others not so much. Last year it produced plenty of fruit in the spring, but most of the figs never matured or the few that did were eaten by the birds. It produced a second round but they remained small and few ripened. Although I give it a vigorous pruning each fall, it grows quite a bit by the end of summer. Actually the tree is getting so large and it's becoming more and more difficult to winterize it. We tie the branches in sections, then pull each section to the center and secure. Then we wrap burlap from top to bottom and finally wrap a tarp around everything, leaving the top open. it's becoming quite the project... Should I do all this each winter? That's the reason keeping me from planting more trees.

[@BonsaiBlacksmith]

I really feel an appreciate your passion for Fig trees. Im a Zone 11 guy and I agree, partial shade is important. I have Purple Figs or Roxo Valinhos and Pinga de Mels.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You will definitely need some shade. Figs will probably fail to defoliate in your zone, so it is really important you pull off all the leaves and cut them back in late January to shock them. I have seen figs grown in the deep subtropics fall out of their biological rhythm and start behaving weirdly and not fruiting properly. You will have to manually keep them on track by cutting them and shocking them at the proper time.

[@Empty.Nest.Gardener]

Thanks for the info. Now , I am going out to prune my fig right now!!🌸

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Good idea! I don't know where you're at, but it has been so nice the past few days here in NC that buds are going to start swelling.

[@irishfruitandberries9059]

Re fertilising in grounds - I have been growing in ground for about 5 years now and have NEVER fed them or compost mulched them and every year they crop abundantly. Granted maybe the soil where I am is nutrient rich but I have seen plenty of fig trees in the Mediterranean growing in nothing but rock and sand and they still producing fruit. 'Emulate forest floor' - from what I know fig trees natural habitat is dry arid desert and not necessarily forest. Apologies if I come across contrarian, just my 2 cents.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Your soil simply is good for the fig. Where figs come from in the Mediterranean, they grow in limestone soil. As such, figs respond to garden lime like crazy. Your soil probably has a high lime content or something like that. Where I live, the soil is “pine tree forest sand.” It is junk. I have to add gobs of organic matter to my soil. After years of doing so, my soil is very nice, but had I not done that, my figs would struggle. Folks that don’t have the “native soil” figs are used to must amend. That being said, your fig will still do better if you start composting and mulching. However good of a performer your fig is, it can do even better.

[@bronwynnewell1767]

Fantastic!! I have actually been meaning to msg you about my fig which never fruits. This video is exactly the advice I needed. Thanks so much. Bron NSW Australia

[@kfx216]

This is very helpful. It also leaves me wondering what you do with all the figs you grow!

[@rosemarybushea3447]

Very helpful video! My Chicago Hardy and Olympian figs produce well here in NC, but they have multiple trunks and are more like giant shrubs. I'm so impressed by your espaliered trees.

[@patriciatsunoda5771]

Thanks for all the great information. A friend is getting ready to trim his fig trees and is going to save me some trimmings to root. I will have to get them started in pots here in PNW zone 7 but hopefully will see great results following your instructions.

[@BNOBLE.]

I have many fig trees in large containers and they are 3 & 4 YO. they produce lots of figs and lots of runner / base shooters but the big branches do not grow after the winter pruning. I admit I do not feed them enough for container trees but they do produce a lot of fruit. I can not get a thick / full tree. It's 3 branches with lots of figs

[@joolsmonash9855]

Awesome video!! Thank you sooo much!!!!🐾

[@eddieh9525]

Fantastic job, you are the go to guy for sure!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@LoveLifeLiveLife7]

I could really use your advice! I live in Horry County, and I have only one fig tree. Last season, it was full of figs but did not fill up inside. Basically, all skin, so they were not edible. Also, I did not prune, but now, because of you, I know how!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Ensure you are giving your tree what it needs. If you have not pruned them yet, prune them NOW. Don’t delay, buds are beginning to swell where we live. After that, go get 2-3 bags of compost and spread it in a big ring around the tree, shoot for a 2-3 inch thick ring that spans out 12-18 inches. If you have never fertilized your tree before, spread 2 cups of an organic fertilizer either under or on top of the compost. Then, bury the compost and fertilizer under 4 inches of a natural mulch. Use something like a shredded bark mulch or pine bark mulch, or wheat straw if you have a clean source of straw without herbicide treatment. You can also use pine straw. Do these things now, and your fig tree will be prepared for the new season. I will be curious to hear if this fixes your problem. I would estimate it had a nutrient deficiency, or it is under-irrigated. Make sure you keep it well irrigated in summer if we have a dry summer. Fig trees do not handle drought well in our sandy soil.

[@LoveLifeLiveLife7]

​@@TheMillennialGardener​ This information is gold, I very much appreciate you! I will do these things right away. I have mixed clay soil in my yard, but before we planted this fig tree, we dug out a very large hole and filled it with in-ground garden soil so the roots would have a chance to spread out.

[@gannas42]

I was just gifted a tent greenhouse this evening. Hadn't considered that it would help stretch fig season for me, but that is a great point! Anxious to set it up and prove some value before purchasing something a little more permanent down the road. Love these videos on fig care. Have you ever grown mulberry? They are very vigorous as well. We had one pop up in the yard last summer and it is 8ft tall already. Going to agressively prune that along with the figs and see what happens.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Those tent greenhouses are great for "head starts" and "late finishes." A lot of guys move their figs into them 30 days before their last frost to give them a boost. Keep in mind those tent greenhouses won't protect against a freeze unless you actively heat them, but they'll protect against a light frost and they collect a lot of heat during the day. I have not grown a mulberry, mostly because of the size and the mess they make. My backyard is too small for them. One day, when I develop my Florida property, I'll get a mulberry tree since I'll have space.

[@claudinedecarlisle8647]

Another incredibly helpful video. Thank you! ❤ Dale

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. Dale says hello 🐶

[@lindaholmes6411]

Thank you for all the info.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome!

[@happy2cya70]

I'm down in middle GA and mine definitely get plenty of light! I started with one bear black and started new ones from the cuttings a few years ago. Last year my son got me a celeste and a turkey fig so I look forward to adding those too. They are all in pots now but I want to plant them this year! Thanks for all your advice!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Try Smith. You will love it, and it’ll do fantastic in your climate. If you like strawberries, it’ll blow you away. Smith deserves a prime spot in a Georgia garden.

[@happy2cya70]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thank you! I will definitely look for that one!

[@baneverything5580]

I just ordered two Yellow Long Neck trees after seeing one of your videos about a similar variety that`s huge and ripens earlier during our dry part of the summer. Eventually I plan to practice grafting several varieties onto my vigorous big tree.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That was probably Robert's Golden Rainbow. It is a huge fig, but I will say it's a little bland. It struggles here with our rain and humidity because of its size. I often find the smaller figs do better here in the Southeast, probably because they ripen more quickly. The ones that take forever to ripen often get moldy in all our humidity and rainfall. It's a bummer.

[@baneverything5580]

@@TheMillennialGardener I won`t know what my mystery trees are until they fruit this year. They were supposed to be 4 tissue culture Celeste but I think they`re VdB (Beer`s Black).

[@baneverything5580]

@@TheMillennialGardener On OurFigs forum they seem to think Golden Rainbow & Yellow Long Neck are the same fig. One grower in Florida, zone 9, said his ripened during a rainy period with few issues. Another guy says they do well in zone 6 too. I found 2 trees for only 20 total. My Mulberry trees are leafing out already here in Louisiana. A freeze is coming but it got in the 70s/80s for several days.

[@SIGGYINTERNATIONAL]

thanks for the videos , brother ! learning alot !

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome! Glad they’re helpful.

[@arnoldindustries6983]

Information packed video. I really enjoy the way you explain so much so articulately and no nonsense. One question, do you apply anything to the pruned branch ends? It looks like you do not but I am a beginner and wanted to ask. Thank you.

[@christophergetchell6490]

Ever since I had fresh figs at my brothers place in Charlotte, I've been wanting to plant a couple of them. It does look like some people have figured out a few varieties that work in climates colder than mine in 6B!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Big bill grows close to 100 figs in-ground in Lancaster, PA, which is 6B. Maybe check out some of his videos and see which work well for him: www.youtube.com/@offthebeatenpathnursery9092 I think the weed barrier is the secret, which is why I've used weed barrier in my container garden area since Day 1 living in my house. The extra 3-5 degrees it attracts every day, compounded over the entire year, adds up to tons of additional warmth the figs needs to grow. He's using the same strategy I use.

[@Patricia-v7z]

Thanks for a great video. This is very useful information.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@Gracie0229]

Thank you ! I’m in zone 9b too much shade I think? No fertilizer or mulch and.. just realized I need to prune. I love your in depth advice!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

9b...Florida? If you're in 9b, I'm assuming FL, TX or CA. Either way, your soil is probably sandy. Figs need *absurd* amounts of organic matter. Figs will appreciate some shade in hot Zone 9's, so I would guess if you're having issues, the tree is starving. Give it lots of compost and thick mulching. There may come a day when you can go without fertilizer and only give them compost and mulch, but for the time being, I would give the tree 1-2 cups of organic granular fertilizer every spring until you build your soil into beautiful, black loam.

[@almaburns6562]

​@@TheMillennialGardener Zone 9 here for south Louisiana, though we dipped into Zone 8 a couple weeks ago with 7" of snow.

[@narutofanz85]

I learned everything about figs from tou bro, thank you so much because i was ao lost and your video came at a perfect time

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I’m glad I could help!

[@microbehunter7584]

I grew up with two large fig trees in the backyard. They produced so much fruit and were never tended to. My parents never pruned, never fertilized, and they thrived. Crazy, because I have to constantly tend to all my vegetables and fruits. Maybe due to soil that has been depleted of necessary nutrients??

[@kathymyers1023]

This was great. Thanks!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@willsolarski8550]

Thanks for the helpful vid and the Live Q&A yesterday! Are the espaliered trees on an East side of a fence?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I have figs espaliered along my east fence and south fence. As long as it gets 6 hours of sunlight or more, it should do fine.

[@TXDHC]

Awesome video! 👍🏽

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad you liked it! Thanks!

[@TXDHC]

@ I went right out to access my trees. We’ve had an early arrival of spring in TX and I’m confident the in ground fig buds haven’t started to swell but my potted ones have. So I’m on it tomorrow asap! 👍🏽

[@leisarussell6312]

Ty...this is EXACTLY the info I was needing.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

So happy I can help!

[@tatamayimbe8365]

Down here in Florida our fig trees never fully go dormant and all besides 2 still have leaves and sap flowing. Can I still safely prune now or how should I go about it? Your videos are super informative and helpful!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Some winters here are so mild the figs don’t go fully dormant, either. Those winters, you prune mid to late January. Yes, you can still prune. Do not delay, it is getting late. In future years, prune sometime between Jan 15-30.

[@tatamayimbe8365]

@ thanks for the advice! You were the first and main person to get me addicted to growing figs!

[@dawnteskey3259]

I've never fed them, I'm a bad fig tree owner. Thank you for sharing this information!

[@baneverything5580]

Here in my yard in central Louisiana most of my trees get just under 6 hours of direct midday sunlight because of pines but I planted 3 trees last year in an area that gets some extra late evening sun. Due to limited space I`m planting 3 more different varieties side by side with them for 2-in-1 trees.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

6 hours in LA is probably ok. They may like a little shade in low 30’s latitude. They do here at 34N.

[@brianking5760]

I live in Clovis, Ca. Fresno has an interesting history of figs and I still see some fig trees well over 100 years old. When time permits Google the history.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

This is one of the only regions in the US that colonizes the fig wasp. There is a long history of farmers in the 1800’s trying to grow Smyrna figs. I have an old video on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5iQXnWIlKarfZIsi=OknStSJhDT1VC61u

[@bettybobzimmerman7450]

Been cutting my fig trees back for years up in 6b.Still amazed how strong the regrowth is, Cant really damage them

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That’s awesome to hear in Zone 6! Great work!

[@astroAl76]

Thanks for all your great content. I know cold-climate trees are naturally pruned to the ground and literally grow eight or ten feet the following season, just as you said. But is there any truth to the idea that heavy pruning will force the tree into devoting all its energy into growing leaves and branches, instead of fruit? I guess the thought is the tree wants to get healthy and vigorous again before producing "offspring."

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Not that I've seen. I think that effect is mostly caused by improper fertilizing - too much nitrogen relative to everything else. If you are growing trees in ground and only giving them very low NPK organics (like a 5-5-5), plus compost and mulch, that shouldn't be an issue. If you're growing them in pots and flooding them with high nitrogen water soluble fertilizers, like MiracleGro All Purpose 24-8-16 or something like that, I can see that being an issue. If you're growing them in pots, I recommend you watch the fertilizing series I linked in the video description.

[@charlesdevier8203]

Mid-Missouri zone 6b. Our in ground figs freeze back every year. Never had a branch live more than 4 inches above ground, even with a cover. The Chicago Hardy fig has produced more figs than the Improved Celeste. This winter, I placed a 100 gallon plastic livestock tank upside down over the Celeste figs. We will see how that turns out. I do not know of anyone who has ever tried to grow figs in this county. This is the 3rd year that ours have been inground.

[@leslieapplegate65]

Zone 4-5 here. I have two Chicago Hardy in pots in the house. Hoping to be able to move them to a greenhouse soon. I've never gotten any figs but I'm sure it's because they don't like the house environment. The outdoor ones got eaten and killed by grasshoppers.

[@juliettebarbados6031]

Thanks for all the excellent information. How come you did not show an example of pruning a container fig?

[@patmccormick4597]

Loris SC here. Love your videos

[@scottrik1852]

I will be properly doing all this with my fig here in CO. This was its first winter, I am not convinced it survived hahaha.

[@robinwhitsell1995]

As always, great video - informative and instructive! When do you start fertilizing your container-grown figs? Do you wait until after your last frost?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

For the container figs, because I give them mostly water soluble fertilizers, I wait until bud break. They are strong and work quickly. For in ground figs, I give them compost and mulch a month before last frost since that stuff takes awhile to break down and trickle feed.

[@Powerfamilygarden]

I have a Little Miss Figgy. I’m southern Illinois I have to bring it in for a little bit. I got it last year so we will see if it survived the winter.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Figs are pretty hardy. If it is has developed strong roots, I wouldn’t be surprised.

[@SmallWonda]

Brilliant, thank you! We're at -41.1 degrees (South) I suppose it is the equivalent of early Aug and average day time temps are around high 70 - low 80Fs and pretty mild nights. I did prune my fig which is in full sun this past winter, but nothing on your scale - I shall know for next winter! So, we do have figlets for a change - I guess this one has been in the ground about 5-years, so I need to feed & prune more! I think they need more water than I'd imagine as the leaves often look shriveled, so I have been watering more this summer than usual! Would it be OK to put grass clippings as mulch so long as it's not against the trunks? Always so helpful - bet you don't have any advice for parrot's eating pears! Oh! How do we know when pears are ready to pick - are the parrots a guide?! Cheeres!

[@rookiegardeningjournal]

When I grow up, I am going to buy a house with a big backyard so I can grow a fig tree!😂 Thanks for the video! 🌱❤️

[@TheMillennialGardener]

In the meantime, get a couple in containers! They do fantastic in 15 gallon pots. I highly recommend. I know so many hundreds of growers growing figs in pots in Zone 4/5 where they won't grow in ground. I mean, I have over 100 figs in pots. They love it!

[@rookiegardeningjournal]

@ Good to know! Thank you🙏

[@eddiekatz6890]

Great video! but im a little bit confused about this method, because i also follow Ross Raddi, and his method is actually the opposite of this, which is only to prune 1 main branch with its scafoldings to the base, and leave all the other ones without any pruning at all. Its something to do with hormones. Thats what he recommends for all the fig varieties. So its intresting to compare your method in the video with the other method and find out which one will give more fruit.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The only scenario where I would advocate for light pruning of fig trees is if you are growing one giant fig tree in a big, open yard, and it is all by itself with no competition from roots. Figs produce their main crop on new season’s wood. That means in order to get main crop figs, the tree must grow taller and wider. If you are growing figs in containers, they become root-bound quickly. So, they “top out.” If you do not prune them aggressively, they will not be able to grow much new wood, and your harvest will stink. Container figs must be pruned back, I suggest 50%. That way, they have room to grow new wood before the roots top out again. When you plant fig trees densely like I do, the roots are competing with each other, and the trees dwarf each other. My figs top out at 10 feet. To get new wood, I must cut them back. That is the key to getting new wood, and therefore, figs. I ran this experiment last year as a test. I pruned none of those 12 trees I featured in Winter 2023/2024 to see what would happen. I documented this experiment last summer. What a DISASTER! Out of all 12 trees featured in this video, only Smith and Carr, my 2 earliest trees, produced ripe figs. Everything else was so late, I got nothing. I got no I-258’s. Not one. All 4 of my Col dr Dame trees didn’t ripen any figs. All total losses. Figs need pruning. I’ve run this every way possible, and the result is always the same. The more you prune them, the more they produce, the earlier your crops - at least to a point. I’m not saying cut your tree back to the roots. However, removing 50% of the volume of the tree clearly produces enormous benefits in my experience.

[@eddiekatz6890]

@TheMillennialGardener thanks so much for the detailed reply! its really intresting to see how your crop will be this summer. im following.

[@angelesharriott6264]

I have 1 fig tree in the pot fortunately it produces a lot of fruits last year im in zone 9 texas

[@NatureZone101]

Very helpful. How about some info on Outdoor Grow Lights? This way we can supplement the lack of a long sunny day.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I don't think that's necessary. Fig trees go dormant in the winter, and their requirement for light is almost nothing during dormancy. I know countless fig growers in Zone 5 and 6 that grow their figs in containers and literally store them in the basement or garage during winter with almost no light. They carry them outside when they notice buds swelling from warming temps.

[@NatureZone101]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thanks, but what about during the regular growing season if we are in a place where we don't get a full day of Sun?

[@bowtielife]

Ugh... I officially have 3 year old figs on the property. 3 of them. I know I know... I gotta start pruning! This weekend!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Easy peasy! I did 13 filming this video and have 100 in containers left to trim 😆

[@adam_1144]

Hi, sorry for spamming the livestream chat. It was difficult to properly phrase my question because of the character count limit. I've been following your fig breeding experiment and found it very interesting. What I was meaning to ask was if you ever considered crossing a saleeb persistent caprifig and a celeste to get a SaleebxCeleste persistent caprifig offspring with celeste qualities (early and rain resistant)? This could then be used to pollinate top tier variety like black madeira, col de dames, etc. to hopefully impart those rain-resistant and early qualities to otherwise late top-tier varieties. In the past, LSU bred celeste and a caprifig to make a bunch of great varieties like LSU Tiger, Hollier, etc. but because of the insane amount of varieties now in circulation, I think it would be possible to create even better varieties with the same rain resistance and early qualities as celeste but the flavors of top-tier varieties. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!

[@Homesteading247]

I have fig trees growing in the ground in zone 9B Florida. I put them in a year ago. How long do you think it would take for them to produce?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They should produce first year if you give them everything they need. Any time I’ve rooted a cutting in November/December, I have had figs for harvest the following September. They are insane that way. But, to do it, you need to give them lots of fertilizer and compost and mulch.

[@Homesteading247]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thanks 👍 I must be doing something wrong 🌱

[@livinthedream4479]

You must have a hundred pounds or more of figs. What do you do with all that?

[@russbowman6801]

Our White House reflects sun on the fig tree. It’s like an oven then. So far we got good yield. We give them 10-10-10 and mulch with cardboard after fertilizing and covered the cardboard with pine needles. One big tree is all we need!

[@snapswivel]

Great video, Are you selling cuttings ?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks! No, I will not be selling them this year due to lack of time. I gave most of my good wood to a friend.

[@angelacalloway8125]

Good afternoon 😊Tfs

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@janniembwhite2771]

Hi. Thanks for this info. I was about to severely cut my tree. It’s too tall and the fruit is no longer sweet. The birds get the largest figs. How do you protect yours from the birds? I’m in MD.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's probably a good idea that you cut back the tree pretty hard. The higher the tree is off the ground, the more likely birds are to pick it apart. Birds don't like being low to the ground where they're vulnerable. Shorter trees will see less bird damage. Just get bird or insect netting. I have some linked in my Amazon Storefront. It's very cheap. Just toss it over the tree when the figs are ripening.

[@janniembwhite2771]

@@TheMillennialGardenerthank you. I’ll be severely pruning soon. The tree is over 50 years old and the main trunk is about 6 inches across.

[@vladar1983]

Can you tell us more about when to prune figs as they are sensitive to cold? But I also think they start early to vegetate?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It depends. If you do not protect your figs, you should prune after your winter inflection point when the worst of the cold is passed, but trees are dormant (late Jan early Feb). If you do need to protect your figs, you may need to prune them in Fall so you can protect them. If you grow them in ground in Zone 7 or colder, they’re going to probably die back to the ground anyway.

[@vladar1983]

@ thanks, is there any too late date, when not to prune them ? When they start to awake... Thanks

[@TheMillennialGardener]

@@vladar1983 you need to complete this before leaves start to form. If your buds are breaking, you’re nearly out of time. You’re going to get sap everywhere if you do that, so wear gloves. Fig sap can burn skin.

[@vladar1983]

@ thank you so much, love your channel!

[@charleshunter4547]

I have a fig trees in a pot and it's about 3 ft tall. Should I trim it or let it grow some more.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Fig trees in containers need significant pruning so they can re-grow large enough to produce figs. They "top out" quickly because they become rootbound in no time, so if you don't aggressively cut them back, they'll stop growing. I recommend cutting your figs in containers back 50% every year.

[@Tim.Stotelmeyer]

Did you keep any of the branches from the Smith fig to make cuttings from?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I kept a few for myself and gave the rest to a friend in town.

[@edyta8816]

Hello, which specific granular fertilizer do you use for figs?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I do not fertilizer my in ground figs anymore, but when I did when they were young, and for my figs in containers, I use this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j167gZ6Io65gotUsi=uOdrvjNdZDQ9u_yr

[@edyta8816]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thank You!

[@josekennedy9411]

When are you going to start your cutting sale? Also where do you post them?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I won’t be selling cuttings this year. It is just so time consuming, and winter was so bad this year that now there isn’t time left. It is crunch time for seed starting and garden prep, so I’m just out of time, unfortunately.

[@earthisflat]

I have a dwarf fig tree would i use less fertilizer when i plant it in ground as compared to a full size variety?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I don’t believe there are really any “dwarf” figs. Not like there are with apples, peaches, etc. Only trees that are less vigorous than others. All figs should be treated the same with fertilizing and pruning.

[@bijou737]

I have a black mission fig here in my northern California back yard. The reading I've done on mission figs says this type of fig tree produces fruit on 1-year old wood (correction on what i wrote about 2-year old wood). I just planted it in the ground a year ago, so I'm hoping it will produce this year. I'm not going to prune it this year, but I am going to try and propagate several suckers growing at the base. I'm going to have to see if it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight this year where I now have it. Do you have any other advice on black mission fig trees? Thanks!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

This is very misleading. Figs produced on the 2nd year wood are called "breba" figs. Breba figs are low quality, and they fail to hold in most climates. Here in the Southeast, brebas almost entirely fall of the trees. It's a total waste of time. This is true for most growers in North America outside of the West Coast. I would not advocate anyone grow figs for a breba crop, unless you live in the PNW where summers are too cool to ripen main crops figs, because you have to prune the trees in really undesirable ways to preserve last year's wood, all for a low quality, small harvest. You want to grow figs for the main crop. Main crop figs are formed on the new wood of the season. The wood your trees grow in April and May is where the good figs form in June and July, then ripen in late August and September. I would not recommend you grow a black mission type fig for breba. Stick with the main crop.

[@svetlanasgardenhomeofredwa4342]

Breba crops are fine here in pnw if you choose the right varieties. Basically, on my fig, i manage shoots like raspberries: leave some new growth branches for the next year. We often have 2 decent harvests a year, unless we get an early frost. ​@TheMillennialGardener

[@bijou737]

@TheMillennialGardener Correction: sorry for the confusion. What I read is that black mission fig trees grow their first crop of figs on 1-year old wood. So they aren't breba crops.

[@clayballard6400]

Is there a reason not to prune after the leaves drop but before hard freezes set in? That would make it easier to cover and protect them.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I have found the opposite to be true. When you prune them early, you expose the "core" of the tree to more cold damage. When you wait to prune them, the tips may burn back, but you have a better chance of quality wood surviving. The big volume of the tree sort of protects itself to an extent. If you insist on covering them, then that story may change entirely, and if you're willing to protect them, pruning early makes sense. But I do not protect my figs. I leave them to the wolves.

[@clayballard6400]

@ very helpful, thank you!

[@annamontone8952]

I'm in zone 9b, and leaves are just starting to come out. Could I still do some pruning on them?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Yes. Do not delay. Do it as soon as possible. Sap flow is already returning.

[@rudyvargas9518]

Can I use rose of Sharon to graft fig cuttings to...

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I haven’t heard of such a thing. Figs are in the ficus genus. Rose of Sharyn is a hibiscus, so I doubt it is compatible. Maybe I’m wrong, but I would be shocked. As a rule, I DO NOT graft figs. Figs can die back to the ground and re-sprout from the roots. If your figs are grafted, you’ll lose them if that happens. It is important all my roots are true so they will grow back if killed to the ground.

[@steveliles5146]

Would mulched up leaves be a good mulch

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Absolutely! But, it won't be enough, unless you have a huge tree. I mentioned that in the video - I mulch with wheat straw and collect the leaves in fall: 9:51

[@Chris-bx4vk]

Ross and some others claim that pruning reduces the overall production of the trees.. assuming that you have enough room for it to keep growing. I dont have trees mature enough to try both simultaneously. Any thoughts on that?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I think that is false. The only scenario I see that being true is if you have a huge tree sitting alone in a wide open field where it, effectively, has unlimited space to grow and no competition. My figs are either in containers or planted 6 feet apart. The container figs are rootbound, so they literally "top out" in containers, and the only way they can grow new fruitwood is if you cut them back. The in-ground trees are planted so closely that their roots are jousting with each other underground, so they're almost self-dwarfing each other due to competition. So, the only way I get good wood is to cut them back. I ran this experiment last year. I pruned nothing, and it was a total disaster. Out of my 12 trees featured in this video, only Smith and Carr made crops. The others totally flopped. They were so late that I got nothing out of them. I've never seen anything like it. I will never make that mistake again. You can look through my videos from last year where I ran a no-pruning experiment. I will never, ever make that mistake again. It turned out even worse than I expected.

[@Chris-bx4vk]

@TheMillennialGardener Thanks for sharing.. that's quite helpful. Forgot about that video but I do recall it now.

[@ginapadula8063]

Hi from Charlotte, NC! My Celeste fig tree has been in the ground for 5 years. It makes tons of figs that don’t ripen, and then fall off. I prune in late winter and think I’m giving them enough fertilizer, sun, and water. Not sure what to do.

[@janetbolton4820]

I live in Southern California zone 9b. My young tree loses leaves and puts out new buds at the same time. When to prune???😕

[@TheMillennialGardener]

At peak dormancy, which is probably mid-January for you. That's the best you can do in your climate. You're probably a little late now, but still do it. In the future, prune either the 2nd or 3rd week of January on a typical winter.

[@howardfowler2255]

With all the dormant fig prunings you have ,could they be used to start cuttings if theyre not dead?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Yes, you can root all the healthy cuttings if you choose to.

[@jujube2407]

I have a fig tree thst is a decendant of George washingtons figs on his estate! Its called the generals fig... but i think its just a common fig... def acclimated to the area as it was cut from the tree 10 min from my house... but its in a LARGE pot... 20 gallon, and its only about 18 inches tall! Any suggestions? We cannot plant in the ground where we live...

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's really cool. Yes, you're indicating to me your fig tree is, literally, starving to death. Following my fig tree fertilizing routine here and it will likely explode on you with growth: kzbin.info/aero/PL1gY7BoYBGIFNbJEUdApbh_E57uNBLG2j&si=lbC3Sx6_M627jIqt

[@cherylmackowiak3728]

I like the espalier idea. Hadn’t considered it but it might be what I do for a fence line. Your 1-inch cut beyond bud seems excessive. Is that what professionals recommend? Typically 1/4 inch is plenty. Too much dead wood might increase chance for disease entry.

[@C3Voyage]

Finally, a good, common sense tutorial on figs, they're growth habits, and how to prune for production. I'm so tired of that one idiot who keeps saying other crap full of bad advice.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! I just try and show what has worked for me. It has been very successful over the years.

[@lynnelaney4380]

My indoor fig retained leaves all winter. Prune anyway?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Yes. In the future, it is a good idea to let your figs get hit by a couple light frosts. It helps them into dormancy and gets them into their biological rhythm. Indoor figs that don’t see frost, or figs grown in the subtropics that are always warm, can get wonky.

[@rudyvargas9518]

When you prune do you toss the cuttings or root them...

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I used to sell them, but I don’t have time this year. I gave most of them out to a friend in town for his business, and the rest I will mulch. He grabbed all the good ones, the remaining wood is mostly damaged from the ice and snow.

[@BustinRootz]

I can't wait to see how good your figs are doing from your fig program that you started four years ago.If i'm not mistaken, I can't wait to see how good they have grown and how the fruit tastes

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I had a groundbreaking video on it last year here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIvGZ6yCfr-CgKMsi=2wWG-pHJF91c_MiN It started producing a lot of fruit last summer.

[@BustinRootz]

Yea, I know. I have seen all your videos on figs.

[@JEBavido]

I’m in northeast Oklahoma and just got a piece of fig bush root hacked off a friend’s plant growing just a few miles south of me. They grow their’s bush-like, so I guess I’ll do the same and prune an open center since that’s what they do and get prolific crops. My bit has three stalks coming out of the root at ground level. If it’s important for me to pick one to be a trunk instead, someone please tell me quickly!

[@yazosali]

You forgot about bifer figs that produce two times once on old wood early in the season and once on new wood later if im not misstaken and they don't need the wasp for pollination also in the mediterranean we grow one fig tree on three to four legs max five, it produces more than growing it on one leg ( so if you see suckers growing from the ground keep a few and remove the rest )

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I did not forget, I excluded them. Breba figs are of inferior quality, and they have a near 99% drop rate here in the US. Pruning to make a breba crop compromises your fig tree, because the form you choose will be totally different. I only encourage growers to prune to make main crop figs, which is what almost everyone will want. The only way I would advocate breba production is if you live in an oceanic northern climate that can’t ripen a main crop and you are growing a dedicated breba variety, like Desert King.

[@eQui253]

cold tolerant earliest fig I can think of is "desert king". Without the wasps this strain gives u only brebas, but does so very early. In regions with the fig wasp it is a two timer. Aaaand I agree with the under feeding. I under fed my first fig extremly bad and it got yellow and rust .. I thought it's sick because of the rust fungus, but it just was under fed and therefor weak and couldn't fight the desease. Figs are heavy feeders, but if u overdo it with the nitrogen, u get a lot of leaves and thin stems that are not very frost tolerant I thought they like a bit of coco, compost and pumice and are fine, because I often was in the mediteranian and there it seems very dry and rocky.. but I was wrong with that assumption. Figs need more nutrients than apples, cherries and even more than a peach tree. :) question: do u do any hunting with that dog ? He seems....capable :)

[@jeanlofaso7997]

What about the figs growing in containers? Do you prune them same way?

[@FosterFarmsOk]

mother nature prunes my fig trees for me. usually all the way to the ground LOL

[@TheMillennialGardener]

At least there is one less thing that needs pruning! This time of year can be overwhelming.

[@chrisvanvooren6857]

In your opinion, what is the best variety for Florida?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If I could grow only ONE fig in the Southeast, it would be Smith. That is the #1 all around fig in my opinion for humidity, and it is early and will beat some of the rains and humidity. Smith.