News Update: I am now doing workshops!  I also have Chinese date and other trees. For information, see below.

Do you do workshops? Glad you asked! I can do educational workshops about figs in the form of lectures or "hands-on" propogation workshops. I can even set up workshops so the participants can take home their very own fig tree. Call or write for details. 

Can I become an apprentice! I would love to set up Individualized apprenticeship programs in fig culture -from one weekend duration to several months. Just give me a call and we can discuss your interests and perhaps set something up.

Lots of Fig information:

How water intensive are fig trees? Does this make sense during a drought? Every fruit tree in the first year will take a fair amount of water but once established fig trees are not only drought tolerant but are low water users as well.

How big do fig trees get in Albuquerque? What is best to grow here are bushes, and they tend to grow to about eleven feet tall and wide. Think of it as a grove of fig bushes.

How long does it take to produce fruit? A one year old fig tree can produce that year, others can take an additional year.

When do fig trees produce? One crop trees, usually produce in late July through September, two crop varieties late June and again in September. They will often be the last plant to leaf or fig in the spring. So do not be surprised if a month or two or five passes and then suddenly they leaf out.

How do we know when a fig is ripe? When the fig is like a hanged man - when the neck is long and bent, when the skin is wrinkled and when there is a tear at the eye (the eye is the little hole at the bottom of the fig).

Where do I plant fig trees on my property? They can be planted within three feet of a wall for heat reflection in the winter and coolness of roots in summer. West and south facing directions are best.

How do I plant fig trees? Figs are shallow rooted. Plant them no deeper than the pot they are in but three times as wide as the same pot. Any soil additives and compost are placed on top to insulate and cool the roots.

Can figs really grow in New Mexico? Figs can grow anywhere in New Mexico in the High Desert, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Deming, Taos, Los Alamos. Figs can do so well in New Mexico, all we have to do is be mindful of them in the winter and during the last few spring frosts. Insulating them with leaves and plastic when they are young during the winter months is advised. Our Alkaline clay soil and sand is fine as it tends to keep the fig trees small, usually less than eleven feet high.

Who brought figs to this region? Many figs were brought here by the Spanish, and also in the last 150 years by immigrant Lebanese, Syrian, Italian, Greek, and Mexican families. There's often a fig tree left behind wherever an immigrant family has lived.

My fig seems to have died over the winter. What do I do? Figs are big tricksters, because of unusual or late frosts figs can bear fruit and leaf out up to four months later than expected. Every year is so different than the last.

Where are your fig trees from? We have figs from China, Holland France, England, Spain, Italy, Israel, Canada and stock from several universities, including Louisiana State and the University of California. 90% of my over 50 varieties are from New Mexico.

Where else in the United States can figs be grown? Since Figs can be grown with care even in such climates as Chicago, we can grow figs anywhere with sunlight in New Mexico - and sunlight is one thing we have plenty of. Remember, we ship bare root trees in the winter and early spring..

What is the best tasting fig? This is like asking which of your friends is your best friend? Figs come in a rainbow of colors and flavors and the inside from purple to strawberry. A ripe fig is one of the best tasting fruits period.

Do you have any other plants and trees beside fig trees? I have Chinese Dates from 40 year ABQ stock can grow up to 25 feet and produce a date-like fruit. I also have four kinds of grapes from ninety six year old heirloom Albuquerque stock. I have one heirloom grape variety that is 150 years in one New Mexican family. I recently added -6 degree hardy pomegranates and 400 year old greengage plums.

What about the Chinese date trees? I have for sale the Chinese date tree. Want to have dates with your figs? Do you need a tree that doesn't have to be winterized? The red Chinese date or Jujube is a tree that has been in the Southwest since the 1870's, doing very well in Albuquerque for the last 50 years, loves poor soil, full to partial sun, little water, borer resistant, 20 ft high, waxy leaves and zigzag branches, self pollinating though better with two, producing sweet, non sticky,date like fruit considered for 4000 years to be the classic Chinese medicine for liver and kidney. This tree has an unbelievable temperature range of minus 20 to + 100 so it could handle our worst possible Winter , or higher elevations or hottest Summer . The fruit is rich in vitamin C and has 3% protein which is very unusual for a fruit. Call me for information.