Where to Find the Best Fig Trees for Sale for Home Gardens

Finding the Perfect Fig Tree for Your Garden

For fruit lovers and gardeners alike, the fig tree is a wonderful addition that yields sweet, delicious figs while also serving as an attractive ornamental tree. When grown in the right conditions and cared for properly, fig trees can provide abundant fruit for years to come. If you've considered planting a fig tree but aren't sure where to find one for sale, this guide will help you learn more about buying a high-quality fig tree that will thrive.

Choosing the Right Fig Variety

With over 750 varieties of the common fig (Ficus carica), selecting the right cultivar for your climate and space can get confusing. Most fig varieties fall into these main types:

• Common figs - produce one crop per season, do not require pollination
• Smyrna figs - produce two crops per season, require pollination
• San Pedro figs - produce two crops per season, do not require pollination
• Caprifigs - produce small inedible figs, used to pollinate Smyrna figs

For home gardens, common and San Pedro fig varieties tend to be good choices that can produce plenty of fruit. Some popular varieties include:

• Brown Turkey - widely adapted, medium-sized purple-brown figs
• Celeste - small light purple figs, high quality flavor
• Black Mission - medium-large purple skin, pink flesh
• Kadota - small-medium green figs, delicately sweet
• Lattarula - Italian heirloom, large green figs

Choosing Healthy, High-Quality Trees

When buying a potted fig tree for sale, inspect it closely to ensure it meets these standards of quality:

• Appears vigorous, green, and healthy
• 6 feet or shorter for easy transport and planting
• No signs of pests, diseases, or damage
• Well-established root system fills container
• Hardened off if early in growing season

The best place to find healthy fig trees is from a reputable nursery, garden center, or online retailer that specializes in figs. Big box home improvement stores often have a narrow selection that may lack variety or vigor.

Ideal Conditions for Planting Fig Trees

One of the keys to growing prolific and delicious figs is providing the right conditions for the tree to thrive. When selecting a planting site, keep these factors in mind:

• Sunlight - Figs need full sun for 6-8 hours daily.
• Soil - Well-draining soil high in organic matter is ideal, or amend clay soils as needed.
• Drainage - Avoid soggy sites prone to waterlogging.
• Shelter - Some protection from strong winds will benefit the tree.
• Space - Allow 15-30 feet between trees for adequate air circulation and light.

In regions with harsh winters, choose cold-hardy cultivars and protect young trees until established. Container-grown trees can be relocated if needed to modify conditions.

Planting and Caring for Your Fig Tree

Once you've purchased your chosen fig variety and prepped an appropriate planting site, follow these tips for getting your tree off to a healthy start:

• Plant in early spring after the last frost date.
• Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball.
• Set the tree at the same soil depth as the container.
• Backfill with native soil, tamp gently to remove air pockets.
• Water thoroughly after planting and as needed to maintain moisture.
• Install a stake for support; remove after 1-2 years once established.
• Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Prune during the dormant season to shape and maintain size.

With the right growing conditions and proper care, your fig tree will reward you with many years of sweet, tree-ripened fruit to enjoy fresh or preserved into jams, chutneys, and more.

Where to Find Fig Trees for Sale

Searching for "fig trees for sale near me" yields many results, but further research is needed to find reputable suppliers with the healthiest plants. Here are some of the best places to buy fig trees for home gardens:

Local Nurseries and Garden Centers

Independent nurseries and local garden centers typically have the best selection of hardy, locally-adapted fruit trees compared to big box stores. A knowledgeable owner or staff can provide variety recommendations plus advice on planting and care. Inspect trees closely before purchasing.

Online Mail Order Nurseries

Specialty growers like Trees of Antiquity, Stark Bros, and Rain Tree Nursery offer an exceptional variety of fig cultivars that ship across the U.S. when bare root in winter or early spring. Order early for the best selection.

Local Fig Growers

In some regions, small-scale growers specialize in producing fig varieties that excel in their microclimate. Connect with local fig aficionados through gardening groups, associations, clubs, and social media groups to find cultivars proven to grow well close to home.

Plant Swaps and Sales

If you know someone in your area growing figs, plant divisions, cuttings, and extra trees are often shared at plant swaps or offered through classified ads. Check community boards and websites like Craigslist for postings.

Key Takeaways on Buying a Fig Tree

Adding a fig tree to your landscape rewards you with sweet fruit for fresh eating, preserving, and sharing. Seek out variety recommendations suitable for your growing zone along with healthy, vigorous trees from reputable sellers. Choose an appropriate sunny planting site, provide attentive care while the tree establishes, and you'll soon be harvesting basketfuls of ripe, succulent figs from your own backyard.

FAQs

What is the best fig variety for my climate?

Choose fig varieties suited to your USDA planting zone. Some good choices for different regions include Brown Turkey and Celeste for cooler zones, Black Mission and Kadota for moderate climates, and Lattarula for warmer regions. Consult local nurseries to learn what grows best in your area.

How big do fig trees get?

Depending on the variety and growing conditions, a mature fig tree typically reaches 15-30 feet tall and wide. Plant trees with adequate spacing to allow for growth and airflow. Prune annually to contain size and shape if needed.

Should I grow figs in containers or in the ground?

Growing figs in containers allows them to be moved to modify conditions as needed. However, trees planted in the ground can yield higher amounts of larger fruit without watering restrictions. Provide containers with drainage holes and use a quality potting mix.

How often and when should figs be pruned?

Prune fig trees during late fall or early winter while they are dormant. Remove any dead wood, crossing branches, and suckers to maintain an open shape. Limit pruning to avoid excess new growth at the expense of the crop. Moderate pruning annually helps maintain an ideal tree size.