Category: The Fig Tree Guy
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When the Fig Gods Smile at the Supermarket
I love to shop at this chain of local supermarkets, Adams Fairacre Farms, a beloved local destination for quality and variety. I appreciate that they’re not expanding nationwide, because their brand and business are rooted in serving local Hudson Valley communities with fresh, locally sourced products rather than large-scale expansion. Each store has a hidden…
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Rooting Cuttings in Coco Coir
Every year, I experiment with a variety of methods to root fig cuttings, and for the most part, I’ve had great success with all of them. That said, my go-to method has always been rooting cuttings in transparent cups of water, simple, effective, and reliable. This year, however, I decided to expand my approach and…
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All about saws and teeth?
Recently, I was reading a terrific online article about TPI (teeth per inch) because I need to stock up on blades for my newly acquired coping saw. (ref 1). Here is what I learned from this article. The number of TPI on a saw blade has a major impact on how it cuts: blades with…
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A Novel Approach to Fig Tree Winter Protection
Materials you will need: twine, PVC pipes, two for each bed, a hacksaw to cut the PVC pipes to length, also you will need a drill to mae the necessary four holes for each bed. You can easily pick up PVC pipes at your local hardware store. The raised bed I was working on measured…
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Moisture: The Hidden Threat When Winterizing Fig Trees
Under that plastic bag is a pruned Italian Honey (also known as Lattarulla) fig tree, all tucked in for winter. I filled the bag with dry leaves gathered from the property—every single one checked to make sure there wasn’t a trace of moisture. They were perfectly crisp and dry, just what I wanted. My plan…
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Correct Fig Cutting Orientation
Every year, I root anywhere from 200 to 600 fig cuttings, and I must confess—no matter how careful I am, at least one of them ends up rooted upside down. Once a cutting starts growing that way, it becomes very tricky to fix. Can it be corrected? The answer is YES! However, in most cases,…
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Figs love to go dormant
Fig trees enter dormancy after they finish producing their main crop. Dormancy is their built-in survival mechanism—a way to conserve energy and protect themselves through the cold months. This quiet period ends only when temperatures rise again in spring (Ref 1). As I write this on November 17th, 2025, here in the Mid-Hudson Valley of…
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The Making of my Figgy Farm
In June of 2025, I decided to buy a structure that would better support my ongoing fig cultivation efforts. Choosing the right type of structure, however, was no easy task. At first, I considered a traditional greenhouse. But after some thought, I realized it wouldn’t be the best fit for my needs. Living in Zone…
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Fencing Your Garden, A Wise Move
Your garden is a labor of love—whether it’s bursting with vegetables, blooming with flowers, or simply a peaceful retreat from daily life. But even the most beautiful garden can suffer without protection. That’s why installing a fence is more than just a good idea—it’s a wise move. Animals are one of the biggest threats to…
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Correctly Pruning a Branch
One of our favorite ways to unwind is by visiting the Orange County Arboretum, a peaceful haven where we can stroll through winding paths surrounded by towering trees and vibrant blooms. It’s always a joy to spend time immersed in the quiet beauty of nature — such simple moments, yet so memorable. On our most…