RADIO TRANSCRIPT
Febraury 27, 2023
Taylor Campbell

This is Taylor Campbell, horticulture extension agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke County Center. Today’s program is on figs. Figs are native to the Mediterranean basin, but many growers find success growing them right here in North Carolina. ‘Brown Turkey’ and ‘Celeste’ are two great cultivars for this area.

Figs need fertile, well draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Be sure to plant your fig trees where they are protected from winter sun and cold winds. If there is a threat of frost, cover young plants and add a 1 to 2 foot deep layer of mulch around the base. Figs are susceptible to nematodes, so inspect the roots for galls. Nematodes can cause stunted growth, which often leads to less fruit production. Fig trees should be spaced 15 to 20 feet apart, while fig bushes should be spaced 10 feet apart. For fertilizing, apply one pound of 8-8-8 per year of the tree’s age until a maximum of 12 pounds of fertilizer is reached. If the plant produces more than 1 to 2 feet of new growth per year, you may need to eliminate nitrogen from your fertilizer routine.

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke County Center is currently selling figs as part of our annual small fruit plant sale. Contact us for details or to place an order. This has been Taylor Campbell, horticulture extension agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke County Center. For more information, call us at 764-9480.