FIGS – SO EASY TO GROW

Ficus carica, the common eating fig has been cultivated for over 9000 years and is reputed to be the oldest plant grown by man. Even older than the first grains and cereals that were grown as storage crops. Figs are popular fruit trees for the greater Pietermaritzburg area. They grow well and set heavy crops of fruit that need protection from birds.

There are different cultivars each with distinctive characteristics in terms of fruit, leaf shape and ripening time. They need full sun, free air movement around the tree and water during fruit development.

Note that the milky sap from the leaves and stem is a skin and eye irritant.