Hurrah!!! ;D Hidden behind the chest high weeds there is a fig tree!! Now I can see it there are egg sized (ok, small egg, not free range) figs growing all over it!!! Yippee!! :D What do I do to help them grow bigger and when will they be ready? Am in the North West, so not exactly tropical most of the time!!
Oh, glad you asked this! The empty plot next to us has a large fig tree in it so thought it would be OK to help ourselves to a few ;) But like you, not sure how to tell when they're ready - at the moment probably 2-3" long and green.
Sorry I can't answer but hopefully a fig expert will be along soon.
I am not expert, but this is how I understand fig things. Tiny little 'figlets' will be produced on the plant in late winter/early spring, these will mature over the year and will be ripe next summer. The problem in this country is the immature figs will be lost in the cold over the winter. I have a fig in a pot and move it into my greenhouse before the first frosts, protecting the fruits, which I then scoff all on my own the next summer. Therefore, I think, like oranges, you will have tiny immature figs, and larger ripening figs on the tree at the same time........ :-\ Now an expert will come along and give you the correct advice!
Thanks EJ!! Must admit I was a bit stunned that there are any fruits at all, not the kind of thing that you see much up here!! Will cross fingers and maybe try and move it over the winter when I (fingers crossed) will get a greenhouse up and running :D