Harvest time for figs is usually in the early fall. Sometimes you can get two crops--one in summer and one in fall--but one is usual. You will know the fruit is ripe when the fig droops and the stem curls. Figs do not ripen off the vine, so wait until the fruit droops. When figs start to mature, cover them with netting; otherwise birds, squirrels, and raccoons will strip the crop.

Sources: There are nurseries on Long Island and in NYC that sell bare-root (without soil) trees in dormancy. The fig cultivars that are cold hardy in the Northeast are 'Brown Turkey' and 'Celeste'. It’s best to buy locally, as local nursery staff know what figs do well in the area.

For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.
- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service