A Fig Grower’s Journey
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Should I protect my POTTED fig trees when it rains?
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Should I protect my POTTED fig trees when we expect lots of rain? Yes, you should protect potted fig trees during prolonged or heavy rain, especially if the rain is frequent or intense over a long period. Here’s why and how: Why to Protect: How to Protect:• Move to Shelter: If possible, move the pots…
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Wallkill Library Program – Now Full!
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Throughout 2025, I had the pleasure of offering eight fig-focused programs to local libraries—and to my delight, every single one reached full capacity, with waiting lists quickly forming. This response has been incredibly rewarding on multiple levels. Not only does it confirm the growing interest in fig cultivation among library patrons, but it also validates…
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Notching test was successful
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Do you know that you can induce budding in a fig tree by notching above a node? This technique is commonly used to encourage a latent or dormant bud to break and grow into a new branch or shoot. How Notching Works: For Fig Trees Specifically: Tips for Success: If you’d like to reach out…
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Spread spent coffee grounds around your fig trees!
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I recently blogged about NPK (Ref 1, Ref 2), which stands for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), the three essential nutrients that are the backbone of any good fertilizer. In fact, these three numbers on a bag of fertilizer represent the percentage of each nutrient, in that exact order. For instance, a 5-5-5…
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Yes! There will be growth in the spring!
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The title is a quote from movie Being There. Two nights ago, an online frost warning went out, and, always one to play it safe, I covered my nine planted fig trees with my concrete curing blankets. I wasn’t taking any chances, even though the temperature never dipped below 40°F—no complaints here, though! It’s always…
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Prepping Rooted Cuttings for the Monroe Free Library Program
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Yes, the moment has finally arrived! The long-awaited Fig Cultivation Program is set to bloom at the Monroe Free Library—and we’re ready to dig in (quite literally)! Each little figgy has been thoughtfully prepared: the bottom of every cup has been carefully removed, and the young plants have been gently coaxed out from their temporary…
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Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
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Not too long ago, I wrote a blog post about two White Kadota fig cuttings that were generously gifted to me by a kind and thoughtful person. One of the cuttings was absolutely thriving—its growth looked fantastic—but the top node of the other one had a slightly dry appearance, which concerned me a bit. Undeterred,…
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After Five Months Col de Dame Noir Shows Roots
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Good golly, Miss Molly, you sure know how to drive me absolutely bonkers! After five long months, this cutting has FINALLY rooted. Sometimes, rooting cuttings feels like watching elephants mate—it’s a slow, painstaking process, to say the least. Of course, you can never be certain what’s happening beneath the surface of the rooting medium. Maybe,…
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The Benefits of Whitewashing Your Fig Trees
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Whitewashing fig trees, typically by applying a diluted white paint or a natural lime-based solution to the trunk and lower branches, provides several benefits: Prevents Sunscald – The white coating reflects sunlight, reducing the risk of sunburn on the tree’s bark, which can cause cracks, tissue damage, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Regulates…
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My Figgies Get A Gentle Introduction to the Great Outdoors
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On Monday, March 10th, 2025, the forecast promised a warm 60°F day, and I knew exactly what I had to do—it was time to take all my figgies outside for their first taste of fresh air and natural sunlight. Most of them, nestled in their plastic cups, had been thriving indoors—pushing out lush green leaves,…