Discover the Special Fig Variety for Your Garden
Figs are a delightful fruit to cultivate, offering a delicious flavor when picked straight from the tree in the warmth of the sun. They make a wonderful addition to any home orchard, not only for their taste but also for their striking appearance with bold, deeply lobed foliage and a lovely spreading growth pattern. The DownHome Harvest® ‘Little Miss Figgy’ Dwarf Fig, a purple-fruited variety from the Southern Living Plant Collection, is a great choice for those with limited space, such as patio containers or small gardens.
Plant Characteristics and Care for DownHome Harvest® ‘Little Miss Figgy’
Figs thrive in hot, dry climates, particularly in the Southern regions, but newer cultivars have increased cold resistance, making them suitable for more northern areas. To ensure a bountiful harvest, provide ample sunlight and consider planting ‘Little Miss Figgy’ in a sheltered spot in colder regions, adding mulch for winter protection. Container planting is also an option, with the benefit of being able to bring the plant indoors during colder months.
Light: Figs require at least 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal fruit production.
Soil: Plant in well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil for best growth results.
Water: While young plants need regular watering, established fig trees are drought-tolerant.
Temperature and Humidity: Figs can withstand high heat but may need protection in colder climates.
Fertilizer: Minimal feeding is necessary, with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in spring if needed.
About DownHome Harvest® ‘Little Miss Figgy’ Fig
This variety of common fig offers two harvests a year: an early breba crop on old wood and a later main crop on new growth. ‘Little Miss Figgy’ is a compact mutation of ‘Violette de Bordeaux,’ reaching a modest height and width while still producing abundant, dark purple fruits from late summer through fall.
Planting Tips for ‘Little Miss Figgy’
Obtain container-grown plants in spring for optimal growth. While figs can adapt to various soil types, they prefer well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH. Refrain from pruning or fertilizing at planting time to allow the tree to establish itself. Consider conducting a soil test and amending the soil beforehand for the best results.
Prepare plants by watering them thoroughly before transplanting to keep roots hydrated during the process. Dig a hole that is 2-3 times wider than the root ball to allow for spreading of the root system. Carefully remove the plant from its pot, loosening the root ball. Plant the roots 2-4 inches deeper than they were in the nursery pot, fill the hole with original soil, and gently tamp down the soil. Water the plants well and apply 1-2 inches of mulch, keeping it away from the stems.
For pruning the DownHome Harvest® ‘Little Miss Figgy’ Fig, remember that figs produce fruit on both old wood (breba crop) and new wood (main crop). Prune during the dormant season, removing damaged or diseased branches, thinning the number of stems, and using heading cuts to promote new growth for fruit development.
To encourage fruit production in ‘Little Miss Figgy’ Fig, be patient as most plants do not fruit in the first season. Avoid excess nitrogen, adjust fertilization, and consider the length of the growing season. Adjust pruning practices to promote earlier ripening if needed.
For overwintering in USDA hardiness zones 8-11, cut back on watering in autumn, mulch well, and protect plants from temperatures below 15°F in zone 7. Container-grown figs can be overwintered indoors by moving them to a cool, dark location. ‘Little Miss Figgy’ Fig is patent-protected and cannot be propagated.
For potting and repotting, follow standard procedures for container plants and adjust watering and location as needed for optimal growth.
“Little Miss Figgy,” also known as Fig ‘Little Miss Figgy,’ thrives when grown in containers. It is important to choose a planting container that has proper drainage holes and is one to two sizes larger than the nursery pot to accommodate the plant’s root growth throughout the season. When planting, use a well-draining potting media and ensure the plant is set slightly deeper than it was in the nursery container. Fill in the surrounding area with potting media, then water thoroughly and add more soil if necessary.
Plants grown in containers tend to dry out faster than those in the ground, so they require more frequent watering. To know when to water, check if the top 2 inches of the soil feel dry to the touch. While figs can tolerate confined spaces, they will eventually need to be repotted once their roots outgrow the container. When this happens, select a container that is one size larger and trim any excess shoots to manage the plant’s size.
Although figs are generally not heavily affected by pests, some issues may arise occasionally. Root knot nematodes, for instance, live in the soil and feed on fig roots, potentially hindering plant growth and fruit production. Insects like scale, aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites can also infest fig plants. Regular monitoring and prompt treatment are crucial to prevent severe infestations. Fig Mosaic Virus is a common virus in cultivated fig trees, causing cosmetic damage like yellow leaf spots without posing serious threats. This virus is more noticeable in container-grown figs, but plants usually overcome the damage when transferred to the ground.
Keep an eye out for foliar diseases such as leaf spots, rust, and blight. Remove any infected leaves and twigs, disposing of them in the trash. Proper sanitation practices, such as collecting fallen fruit and foliage, help limit insect and disease problems. One of the main challenges faced by fig growers is dealing with animals that are drawn to the fruits. Birds and squirrels are particularly fond of figs, so using netting to cover plants can deter birds, while a motion sensor sprinkler can startle squirrels away. To prevent bee and wasp attraction, promptly pick up any fallen fruits.
If you are interested in planting a Thornless Blackberry variety, consider doing so now to enjoy fresh berries in your garden for years to come.
