Figs are one of the easiest, most problem-free fruits you can grow. They're a great choice for organic gardeners as the few problems they do encounter can always be overcome without the use of chemicals.

Figs come in a wide array of flavors, textures and ripening seasons. Some have thin skins with delicate, juicy centers reminscent of maple syrup. These are perfect for eating fresh from the tree. Whilst others have a natural rich, sweet texture that lends itself well to drying or for making preserves.

When choosing a fig tree, pick at least one variety from the fall ripening group to help extend the season and to have some of the most interesting flavors. All figs are self-pollinating.

SOIL

Although one of the easiest fruits to grow, the one weak link of a fig is that they are susceptible to nematode damage. Easy ways to combat this problem include planting in large holes filled with rotting manures and mulching with a thick layer of rotting organic material. I like manured leaves or hay. Also, planting next to a building works as the roots will seek shelter in the nematode-free zone under the building.

ORCHARD SANITATION

In the hot, humid climate of the South, Fig Rust seems to be a common problem. Although with good health, most trees continue to thrive and bear fruit throughout their life with a mild case of this fungus, it is unsightly and can be controlled easily with a copper spray in mid-July. It's also good to rake and burn the fallen leaves once a year.

FIG EYES

Figs can't see, but they do have eyes. The eye of a fig is an opening at the apex of the fruit where the skin comes together. Closed eyes prevent bacteria, fungi and insects from getting inside the fig and causing souring. We sell mostly closed eye figs for this very reason.

BIRDS

If birds are a problem in your area, select the light-skinned fig varieties. Birds have a built-in notion that ripe figs are supposed to be dark. They think the yellow-skinned fruits aren't ripe yet and leave them alone.

ALMA A Texas A&M University release, highly resistant to fruit rots. The fruit is a beautiful light yellowish green. Inside, a halo of white meat with a light strawberry center. A good drying variety with a high sugar content and excellent flavor. Continous cropper. Ripens mid-July `til frost. Zones 7-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft). Available for Spring 2008 shipment.

BROWN TURKEY Large, rich purplish-brown fruit with delicious strawberry-pink flesh. Very popular in the South because of its dependable crops. Ripens late July to mid August. Zones 7-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft). Limited quantity.

LARGE BROWN TURKEY Even larger, rich purplish-brown fruit with delicious strawberry-pink flesh. Great improvement on an old favorite with dependable crops. Ripens late July to mid August. Zones 7-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft). Available for Spring 2008 shipment.

CELESTE Known as the "sugar fig", Celeste produces medium sized fruit with light brown to violet skin, and strawberry pink flesh. One of the best varieties for drying and preserves. Tight eye resists rots. Ripens mid July to mid August. Zones 7-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

GIANT CELESTE This beauty was given to us by a fig fancier and it is worth fancying. Giant Celeste produces large sized fruit with light brown to violet skin, and strawberry pink flesh. One of the best varieties for drying and preserves. Tight eye resists rots. Ripens mid July to mid August. Zones 7-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft). Available for Spring 2008 shipment.

LSU IMPROVED CELESTE LSU took a great one and improved the yield and fruit size. Light brown to violet skin, and strawberry pink flesh. One of the best varieties for drying and preserves. Tight eye resists rots. Ripens mid July to mid August. Zones 7-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft). Available for Spring 2008 shipment.

CONADRIA A fig bred by the leading California fig breeder, Ira Condit. The name is a combination of his name and the drying fig Adriatic from which it was bred. The tree is vigorous and the fruit is 2 1/2 inches wide with a light greenish-yellow skin and sweet, juicy strawberry- pink flesh. Ripens mid July to mid August. Zones 8b-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft). Available for Spring 2008 shipment.

GREEN ISCHIA High quality green fig with a strawberry center and a closed eye to deter souring. Birds miss these ripe green figs! Zones 8B-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft). Available for Spring 2008 shipment.

HOLLIER New LSU release. Dependable producer of medium to large sweet figs. Ripens August-September. Zones 8B-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

HUNT Very cold resistant, large, long-necked violet brown fruit. Long ripening season. Very dependable. Rich sweet flavor. Ripe July. Zones 7-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

ITALIAN HONEY Big, sweet lemon-green fig with amber flesh. Long ripening, starting in July. Excellent flavor. Zones 8B-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

JELLY SYN: Mary Lane and Seedless A medium to large yellow fig. As the name implies, this fig is virtually seedless. Yellow pulp is very jucy and sweet. Well adapted to all fig growing areas. Trees are rampant growers, spreading to 15 feet. Ripens late August to mid September. Zones 8B-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

LSU GOLD LSU release with great resistance to splitting. Fast grower and heavy producer of large, light yellow, very sweet figs. Ripens July-August. Zones 8B-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

LSU PURPLE Another great LSU fig, small to medium with purple to burgundy fruit. Good vegetative growth for a bushy, well-formed fig bush. Zones 8B-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

NERO Cold hardy variety that produces large, purple-black fruits with a beautiful purplish pulp. Sweet, rich flavor. Great for southern climates. Ripens in July. Zones 7-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

PANACHEE New for us. They rave over the flavor of this fig in California. Green fruit with yellow stripes produces a fall crop. Needs a long, warm growing season. Ripens in August. Zones 8A-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft). Available for Spring 2008 shipment.

SMITH Figs for Florida, but this one is an heirloom from Louisiana. Superb older variety, large flat yellow fig with a deep red center. Tight eye resists splitting and souring. Very sweet. Ripe July-August. Zones 8B-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft). Available for Spring 2008 shipment.

TENA A new California Variety that is highly resistant to fruit rot. The fruit is a beautiful light yellow green; inside is a halo of white flesh, surrounding a light strawberry center. Tena is a good drying variety with a high sugar content and excellent flavor. Ripens mid July to late August. Zones 8B-10. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

VENTURA More cold hardy than most, Ventura is a large, flat, green fig. The flesh is deep ruby-red with a natural strawberry jam flavor. Trees are small and compact. Zones 7-10. Ripens early to mid-August. $26.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

Just the Facts
Not sure what to do with figs or how to grow them right? DON'T PANIC! Push the panic button and we will give you "Just the Facts" you need to successfully grow them.

Are we out of what you are looking for? Email us at Justfruits@hotmail.com and we'll put you on the "Call When Available" list. We will call you!

Please come to see us if you can (Wednesday to Sunday, 9:05-5:08). We are located 19 miles south of Tallahassee, just off US Highway 98, 1 mile east of the intersection with US Highway 319 (South of Crawfordville center and actually in the village of Medart). If you need further directions, feel free to call us at 1-850-926-5644 or enter 30 St. Frances St. Crawforville FL 32327 (or Just Fruits Nursery) into Google Maps ( CLICK HERE).