Figs, some of God’s amazing fruits, contain many benefits. They grow well in our North Florida weather and are some of the healthiest foods God has given us. According to Annette Reader, a nutritionist and writer of Steven Woods of the Promised Land, figs are loaded with vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, B6 (folate), A, E, and K, and fiber.
“I’ve never eaten a fig,” my friend said as I pressed a basket of Brown Turkey Figs toward him. “Please try one. I picked them this morning from my tree in the garden.”
“How do you eat it?” he asked.
“Just bite into it like you would an apple.”
He would tell me later that it was delicious and that he was intent on buying a fig tree to replace his orange tree that froze this winter. Another convert to the wonders of eating non-processed food, just as God created it.
Are figs mentioned in the Bible?
Biblical references to figs from Genesis to Revelation may encourage you to learn more about this ancient and hallowed food. Jesus spent his last days in Bethany, which means House of Figs. He may have enjoyed some while there. Proverbs 27:18 says, “He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit.” The proverb speaks of the need to pick figs daily during harvest season, but it also points to the importance of being faithful to our work, even when it is monotonous.
1. How does one faithfully tend a fig tree?
You should plant and tend to it throughout the year and pick the fruit daily when in season. Figs ripen on the tree, and any left there will burst, bringing wasps, gnats, and other undesirables.
The best way to enjoy a fig is to eat it soon after it’s picked and before it over ripens, which happens within one to three days. They don’t ship well, so figs sold in the grocery are usually dried first, attesting to the fact that fresh figs are hard to find. You may find them at a local market or farmer’s market. You can also look for a friend or neighbor who grows these precious fruits and offer to help him pick them.
2. How does one grow a fig tree?
Have I convinced you that figs are special? Then let’s talk about growing your own fig tree. According to a University of Florida article, three cultivars are best for north Florida: Celeste, Brown Turkey, and Ischia. These figs can tolerate temperatures as low as 18 degrees, and they need one hundred hours of chill time, which is defined as weather 45 degrees or lower. Follow this link to learn more about chill hours.
As with most trees, it is best to plant in the winter when the tree is dormant. No leaves on the tree indicate dormancy, as the tree hibernates until spring. Planting time can be more flexible when planting trees in containers. The container should be 1 to 2 times bigger than the tree. If you do plant in the summer, be sure to water well until established, pouring water at the base until it is moist to the depth of the root, which is about six inches. Do this by hand and don’t depend on your sprinkler. Your soil should drain well (no one likes soggy feet!) and mix in some compost for a boost of nutrition.
3. Where do fig trees grow?
Choose a location that receives full sun—in our sunny Florida, that means six hours of sun. Trees grow ten to thirty feet tall and can span a width equal to the height. Be aware that fig trees will shade out competing vegetation below the tree canopy. Figs dislike excessively wet soil but need plenty of water during the fruiting season. Using mulch will help to retain soil moisture and deter root-rot nematodes, a major threat to fig trees.
4. How do I spot disease?
Rust disease is a problem in our area. It looks like red spots or blotches on the leaves. Spores spread the rust, so removing the infected leaves can limit the spread. Make sure to dispose of any infected leaves that you remove or that fall to the ground. Doing some light pruning will also help to keep good airflow in the tree’s center. And while fig rust is common in our hot humidity, the trees are resilient.
Fig trees don’t like lots of pruning, but as with any tree, remove dead limbs, those that cross, and suckers. You can also shape it to fit better in a particular location.
5. How does one preserve figs?
To preserve my figs, I cook them into a compote or fruit mixture and then store it in the refrigerator. To avoid taking up refrigerator space, you could process them using a water bath canning method. There is no need to add water or sugar (although you can) as the fig is sweet and has lots of liquid. I’m experimenting with different tastes. I’ve added raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. If you have suggestions, please send them to me.
Plan to get a fig tree this fall so you can enjoy fresh figs in the future or get one now and keep it potted until winter. When you taste the fruit of your labor, knowing that you grew them will be as rewarding as the precious fruit.
About the Author
For almost twenty-five years, Rachel Coggins was a chaplain in the army reserves. During that time, she was deployed for war support four times. Coggins wrote Gateway to Iraq, A Chaplain’s Story—a passionate account of her encounters with America’s finest, the American military.
For thirty years, Rachel journeyed with her husband, an active-duty Air Force chaplain, moving to ten different locations, including three overseas tours. Her book, Turkey the Home of Saint Paul, tells of visiting Biblical sites in the ancient land.
Creation care is now Rachel’s focus. It combines loving God’s gift of creation with our need to care for it. Rachel, a master gardener, writes and teaches about gardening and sustainable healthy living through backyard gardens. The Coggins live in Florida, where they enjoy the area’s beauty, the people, cats, and chickens. You can find Rachel at https://rachelcoggins.com/.