5 ways to tell your figs are ripe | LifeCycles Project – Victoria, BC (2024)

FAQs

How to tell if a fig is ripe? ›

Ripe figs are soft and squishy, like a partially full water balloon. Squeeze your fig to test its ripeness–can you easily pierce the skin? If yes, your fig is ripe. If the skin doesn't give under your fingertips, your fig is not quite ripe.

Some regions across Australia might also experience a second crop of figs, which forms on new growth and ripens in late autumn or early winter, around May to June. Figs have a short shelf-life once picked, so you're unlikely to find any at at supermarket that taste as good as one picked straight from your own tree.

The fruit itself will hang in a droopy way on the tree as it ripens. This is true for figs regardless of mature color. Young, firm figs tend to stand out and away from the tree. As it ripens and softens, the fig will bend at the stalk where it is attached to the tree.

Fresh figs are not tasty until soft and ripe. Therefore, pick them just as the fruit begins to soften. The fig varieties common to Texas usually ripen their fruit during July or August but because of winter freezes, fruit harvest can be delayed until new growth is forced out.

To do this, simply dip a Q-tip in some olive oil and brush it lightly over the little belly button on the bottom of the fig, opposite the stem. Anointing the figs like this helps seal the eye of the fruit, preventing ethylene gas from escaping and encouraging the fig to ripen faster.

Ripeness is most often determined by enlarged size and a color change from green to brown or purple and sometimes gold, depending on the variety. You can feel for ripeness by gently squeezing the fruit, and it feels soft to the touch. Unripe figs are hard and have a rubbery feel to them.

Figs will not continue to ripen after they are picked like many other fruits. You can tell that it is time for harvesting figs when the fruit necks wilt and the fruits hang down. If you pick a fig fruit too early, it will taste horrible; ripe fruit is sweet and delicious.

So, what are the water requirements for fig trees? A general rule is 1 to 1 ½ inches (2.5-4 cm.) of water per week either from rainfall or irrigation. The tree will let you know if it needs to be watered by the yellowing of its foliage and the dropping of leaves.

But as mentioned above, common figs are parthenocarpic and don't need wasp pollination. It is normal for young trees to produce fruits that don't fully mature. That's just part of the development process of the tree. As the tree gets older, the fruits will mature properly.

Most fig trees take three to five years to start ripening fruit. Prior to that, figs may form along stems where each leaf attaches, but they won't ripen. Potted figs may bear fruit sooner. Unripe figs are green, firm and perpendicular to the branch.

What color to pick figs? ›

Size isn't an indication of ripeness or maturity. Rather, a “tree- ripe” fig is soft to the touch and sometimes have cracks, a sign that they are bursting at the seams with sugar and juice. When ripe, black figs have a purple-blue hue, green figs become a yellow chartreuse color, and brown figs become deep purple.

Figs might not ripen because of environmental factors, such as temperature, water, nutrient levels and amount of light in addition to weeds, pests and disease. Stress, however, is the main reason figs won't ripen. And, the most common stress factor is a lack of water in high-heat conditions.

A: Figs are super attractive to all types of birds, so the netting is not a bad idea. Unfortunately, other creatures of the night will show up and help themselves once they discover your tree. Opossums, raccoons, rats and mice all like to feast on the soft fruit and can climb the tree to get it.

Green figs will not ripen off the tree. Figs picked just before full ripeness will continue to soften and become sweeter if left in a dry location with a moderate temperature. For more information on growing and producing figs, see HGIC 1353, Fig. As ripening begins, most figs become larger in size and change color.

Preparation. Fresh figs are usually eaten raw. They taste best eaten straight off the tree, ideally still warm from the sun. The entire fig is edible, from the thin skin to the red or purplish flesh and the myriad tiny seeds, but they can be peeled if you wish.

Ripe figs feel plump and give slightly when squeezed… if you plan to eat them immediately, choose these ones -otherwise purchase figs with a little less give. They should give off a mildly sweet fragrance but if they smell sour they should be avoided as there's a good chance that they have spoiled.

Unripe figs are safe to consume when properly identified and prepared, although they differ in taste and texture from ripe figs.