Fig trees have been with us always. Figs were used in ancient times during athletic training and were given as prizes in the Olympics. They are sweet, delicious and nutritious with more fiber than prunes and more potassium than bananas. And although fig trees originated in the warm climates of the Middle East, they have adapted to our more temperate weather. Join Extension Master Gardener Beth Buffington and fig specialist Kurmit Rockwell for a discussion of the ways to include figs in your home landscape as well as for recipes and suggestions of how to enjoy their abundant harvest. Bonnie Rockwell provided support for this class.
Zoom session, recorded September 12, 2025
Class Video
Fig Jam Recipes
America’s Test Kitchen. 2016. Fig-Balsamic Jam. From Foolproof Preserving and Canning: A Guide to Small Batch Jams, Jellies, Pickles, and Condiments. *
Andress, Elizabeth L. and Judy A. Harrison. 2016. Fig Preserves. National Center for Home Food Preservation, University of Georgia.
Ball Home Canning Test Kitchen. 2016. Fig Rosemary and Red Wine Jam – Ball Mason Jars Company
Ball Home Canning Test Kitchen. 2016. Fig Rosemary and Red Wine Jam – Ball Mason Jars Company
Drunken Fig Jam. 2008. Bon Appetit.*
Howard, Vivian. 2015. Fig and Lemon Preserves. PBS.
Parsi, Grace. 2023. Fig Jam. Food & Wine.*
*Recipes mentioned in presentation by Beth Buffington.
*Recipes mentioned in presentation by Beth Buffington.
Class Handout pdf
These notes accompany the presentation and were adapted from the slides shown during the presentation. They cover the basics for planting and growing figs in the DC Metro area and were developed from national sources such as the USDA and the local experience of presenters.
Figs Common in the DMV Region
- Brunswick: Open eye, medium to large size, amber to pinkish interior, good for preserving
- Celeste: Closed-eye, pinkish interior, smaller size, brown sugar fig, pest and disease resistant, one crop
- Brown Turkey: Widely adapted, medium size, brownish skin and amber to pink flesh, two crops typically
- Chicago Hardy: Cold hardy, medium size, sweet berry flavor, pulp resembles strawberry jam
- Marseilles White Fig: Thomas Jefferson’s favorite. Fast growing and cold hardy, two crops
- Osborne Prolific: heavy yields, white to amber flesh, very sweet and refreshing
DMV Climate
- DMV Climate is well suited for in-ground fig trees in many areas
- Microclimate makes a difference
- Tree damage a function of time and temperature
- Many cold hardy varieties can withstand temperatures in the 20°s F (e.g., Celeste, Chicago Hardy)
- Observations: short duration at 9° F is better than 15° F for multiple days
- Zone 5B to 6B
- Consider using containers/pots and shelter inside over winter
- In-ground fig trees will likely need winter protection (many options)
- Choose short-season trees that can die-back and produce fruit in the same year (possibly Celeste, Hardy Chicago, Florea, La Magdeleine, LSU Hollier)
Sun/Soil
- Sun
- Partial shade to full direct sun
- Many varieties can ripen fruit in partial shade
- Various amounts of shade may increase time to ripen, exterior color generally lighter, and sweetness may be less
- Soil
- Potting soil or in-ground solid should drain well
- Hard pack clay can slow growth – amend with compost – consider raised bed
- Soil PH 5.5 – 8 with typical 6-7
- Peat moss mix or coconut coir is good for propagating cutting
Nutrition
- In-ground
- Best practice – March top layer with compost
- Fertilizing needs depend on soil nutrients – you may not need to do anything else
- Container
- Fertilizing is key to providing many of the 17 essential plant nutrients
- Potting soils may have limited nutrients and get depleted quickly
- Choice of fertilizer determines schedule
- Water soluble generally recommends every 1-2 weeks
- Slow-release granules generally recommends 4-6 weeks
- Controlled release fertilizers typically 3-6+ months
- Look at the labels for essential secondary and micronutrients
- Many fertilizers leave out certain nutrients because ground soils provide them – not so with container potted soils
- Look for calcium, magnesium, and sulfur
- Consider beneficial nutrients like mycorrhizal fungi
- Fertilizing is key to providing many of the 17 essential plant nutrients
Water
- In-ground: less watering needed
- Weekly deep watering until established
- Summer planting may need frequent watering during hot periods
- Plant in May, and by May of next year you may not need to water often
- Dry and hot summers may need additional watering
- Dry winter months – you may need to water young trees
- Potted: need more frequent watering
- Drip irrigation is preferred
- More effective and efficient
- Saves hours of labor every week
- Daily watering approximately 20% of container volume during hottest days
- Break watering up into two cycles is a good practice
- Winter storage – you may need to water 1-2+ times (depends how dry)
- Drip irrigation is preferred
Additional Resources
- Nardozzi, Charlie. Edible Landscaping: Figs. The National Gardening Association.
https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/4040/Edible-Landscaping-Figs/ - Phillips, E. L. 1979. Figs for Virginia. Virginia Cooperative Extension.
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/c51298c7-c9a0-435d-a639-c25f24b5181e/content - Traunfeld Jon. 2024. Growing Figs in Maryland. Univerity of Maryland Extension.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-figs-maryland