Here’s how to tell when figs are ripe so you’re free to time your harvest perfectly.
Ed Gohlich
Unlike other types of fruit, figs dont ripen well off the plant.
So when are figs ripe and how can you tell when to pick the fruit?
Credit:Ed Gohlich
Figs are divided into early-season, mid-season, and late-season varieties.
Early-season figs can fruit as early as May, while late-season figs fruit in September.
Use theseharvesting tipsto keep your fruit in tip-top shape and make picking figs a bit easier.
Protect the fruit from pests.
Shelter ripening figs withrow coversor fruit protection bags to protect them from hungry birds and other wildlife.
If possible, avoid using bird netting, which can pose a tangle hazard for songbirds.
Wear gloves and long sleeves.
Figs bruise easily and should be handled as little as possible to limit damage.
Pick figs the right way.
Pulling down on figs can cause branches to break and make the fruit split.
If possible, harvest figs before heavy rain.
Rainfall can make harvesting harder and spoil ripening fruit.
If fig stems begin to ooze milky sap when you are harvesting fruit, the figs are usually underripe.
Let the fruit ripen a bit longer before harvesting again.
Figs dont ripen all at once.
Err on the side of ripeness.
This is not ideal, but its better than losing your crop.
For longer-term storage,preserve fresh figs by canning, freezing, or drying them.
