When Are Figs Ripe and Ready to Pick? 10 Tips for Harvesting the Sweetest Fruit

Here’s how to tell when figs are ripe so you can time your harvest perfectly.

Lauren Landers

Mon, July 1, 2024 at 9:15 PM UTC

Figs must be picked at the perfect moment because they don't ripen well once they are removed from the tree. There are several telltale signs to help determine the best time for picking, ensuring your harvest isn't too hard, bland, or overly ripe. Whether you grow figs in pots or in your garden, these tips will help you harvest figs for eating fresh, as well as for preserving through canning, freezing, or dehydrating.

Factors That Affect When to Harvest Figs

The main fig harvest season generally runs from the months of July to August. However, many different fig types ripen at different times, and some may produce fruit more than once per year. Figs are categorized into early-season, mid-season, and late-season varieties.

Early-season figs can begin fruiting as early as May, while late-season varieties might not ripen until September. Some fig types even offer a double harvest: an early breba harvest on old wood, followed by a main harvest on new growth in summer or fall.

Weather and plant care also influence ripening. Figs grown indoors may produce fruit differently from those in outdoor gardens or dwarf fig trees. Given the variability, it's best to harvest figs when they show clear signs of ripeness instead of relying only on expected timing.

Signs Figs Are Ready for Harvest

Fig trees generally take three to five years to begin fruiting, so patience is essential. Once these trees start fruiting, look for these signs that figs are ripe and ready to pick:

Deepening color:Fig skins deepen in color as they ripen, varying by type from shades of brown and purple to gold or yellowish-green.
Soft flesh:Ripe figs should feel slightly soft, similar to a water balloon, but not mushy.
Sweet aroma:A sugary, sweet smell indicates ripeness, while a fermented scent means the figs are overripe.
Drooping fruit:While figs that stick out perpendicularly are usually underripe, figs that droop are ready to harvest.
Splitting skins with juice:Ripe figs may show split skins and small drops of juice. You should harvest these promptly to avoid overripeness.
Falling fruit:Ripe figs can fall from the tree. Make sure to collect fallen figs immediately to prevent insect spoilage.

Tips for Harvesting Figs

Figs are delicate and can bruise easily, so you should handle them with care. These simple tips will help keep your figs in excellent condition and make harvesting easier.

1. Protect the fruit from pests.

Use row covers or fruit protection bags to shield figs from birds and other wildlife. Avoid using bird netting, which can entangle songbirds.

2. Wear gloves and long sleeves.

Remember to protect your skin from the sap, which can be irritating.

Warning

Be cautious of fig tree sap. When harvesting figs, wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your skin. The sap from fig trees can be irritating, and direct contact should be avoided.

3. Handle gently.

Limit handling to prevent bruising. When picking many figs, you should avoid piling them to prevent spoilage.

4. Pick figs the right way.

Support the branch with one hand and gently lift the fig with the other hand. Ripe figs detach easily, while those that resist need more ripening time.

5. Don't pull down.

Keep in mind, pulling can break branches and split fruit.

6. Avoid rain.

Harvest figs before heavy rain to prevent spoilage and difficult picking conditions.

7. Skip the sap.

Figs that release milky sap during harvest are usually underripe. You should give them more time.

8. Harvest often.

Pick figs in small batches because they ripen at different times.

9. Err on the side of ripeness.

Aim for slightly overripe figs, because underripe ones might not develop full flavor.

10. Prevent frost damage.

If frost is expected in your area, you should pick nearly ripe figs and try ripening them indoors. Place near apples or bananas to speed ripening.

Storing Fresh Figs

Figs should be eaten soon after they're picked from the tree, because they don't keep well. While figs are best at room temperature, you can refrigerate them for a few days in perforated containers with a paper towel.

For long-term storage, you should consider canning, freezing, or drying them:

Canning:Harvest figs slightly early when they still feel firm. They make excellent jams, jellies, and pickles.
Freezing:Rinse and dry figs thoroughly, then place them in a single layer on a sheet pan to flash freeze them for 1-2 hours. Then transfer them into airtight containers to avoid freezer burn.
Drying:Cut figs into halves or quarters. Dry them in a food dehydrator or air dry in a single layer in a sunny, sheltered area. Store dried figs in airtight containers inside of your pantry, fridge, or freezer.

Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens

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