A Fig Grower’s Journey
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Don’t Just Cut—Help the Tree Heal
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When you prune a tree, it’s often said that you should seal the wound to protect it from future damage. While there are certain pruning cuts that, given time, will heal themselves naturally, many gardeners still believe in giving the tree a little extra help. Not too long ago I blogged about trees properly healing…
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The Secret to Happy Fig Cuttings: A Little Pampering
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When you take a fig cutting, you’re not starting from zero. That piece of wood contains stored carbohydrates (starches and sugars) that the mother tree packed away during the growing season. Think of it like a built-in lunchbox for the cutting. What that stored energy does Before a cutting has roots or leaves, it still…
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Adiós Gnats!
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If I had a penny for every failed attempt to stop fungus gnats from killing my fig cuttings, I’d have two dollars. Fungus gnats are one of the most frustrating pests when you’re rooting fig cuttings. The adults are annoying, but the real problem is underground, their larvae feed on tender young roots, exactly what…
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Fixing a Waterlogged, Rooted Fig Cutting
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I got a little careless while watering this fig cutting and ended up with a classic waterlogged situation. When I root my fig cuttings, I use a double-cup system. The inner cup holds the cutting and has drainage holes at the bottom, while the outer cup catches the excess water that drains out. It’s a…
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Look, Ma! Roots Everywhere!
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I’ve been hard at work rooting my 2026 fig cuttings, and I’m happy to report that they’ve officially started developing roots. Warning: Secure your lunch pail before reading the next statement. I currently have approximately 470 cuttings rooting in a variety of ways: some in water, others as fig-pops, and more nestled into coco coir…
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Fig Trees Belong in Every Garden
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Barry’s Grove is a nonprofit organization founded in 2022 and based in the Village of Walden, New York, with a primary focus on the Hudson Valley region. The organization is dedicated to environmental stewardship through hands-on initiatives such as tree planting, stream stocking, and educational outreach that fosters a deeper connection between the community and…
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Announcing The Fig Tree Learning Exchange Event
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This post is literally hot off the press. The Recreation and Parks Department of the Village of Walden, together with The Fig Tree Guy, is proud to host the first bi-annual Fig Tree Learning Exchange, a unique gathering created specifically for fig tree enthusiasts of all experience levels. I created a web page for this…
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Hello, Roots! My First Fig Cutting of 2026
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I am not kidding when I say that every single year, the moment I spot my first rooted cutting, I get a little teary-eyed. It never gets old. This year, I’ve officially kicked off the rooting process with—drum roll, please—400 cuttings. But wait… there’s more. I’ve got another 200 cuttings tucked away in the crisper…
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When the Fig Gods Smile at the Supermarket
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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
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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…