I have a fig tree, When are figs ready to be picked?
Question:I live in California and my neighbor has a fig tree that is growing into my yard. It has several figs growing on it, what should I be looking for when they are ready for picking?
Answers:
Besides being soft to the touch and falling off the tree, you can watch for the birds, they will know when they are ready. When you pick one, it should easily fall off the tree in your hands. If you have to pull on it more than a little bit, it is not ready yet. And even if it is split on the bottom, it is still tasty. Watch for ants if it is split though.
if they're purple figs, really easy, just wait for them to get nice and purple, plump and soft. Then pick them.
If they're white figs, it's a little harder, but still not bad. Wait for them to lose their 'greenness' and they'll become a lighter shade of green, but the same rule applies. Wait for them to become plump and soft to the touch. If they split at the bottom, they're too ripe. Here in Virginia, we usually get to pick our figs at ripeness about the end of August or early September. Don't know about CA though.
look for taste! Pick one, cut it in half and give it a taste. Also if they are falling off the tree they are probably ready.
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