Figs have been cherished for their sweet flavor and velvety texture for thousands of years. And if you live in the Lone Star State, you’re in luck – Texas offers the perfect warm climate for growing lush, fruit-laden fig trees. I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about fig season in Texas, from the timing of harvests to the best ways to eat these sensational fruits.
The main fig season in Texas runs from early summer through early fall. Most fig varieties grown in the state produce a single main crop during the peak summer months of June, July, and August. However, some cultivars also yield a smaller breba crop in late spring or early summer.
While the exact timing can vary slightly based on location and cultivar you can generally expect fresh figs at Texas farmers markets and orchards from mid-June through August. Some late-ripening varieties may even last into September or October.
The early breba crop gives you a taste of fig season before the full bounty of fruit arrives. But the main crop is when you’ll find figs in true abundance.
Common Fig Varieties Grown in Texas
Texas offers a long fig season thanks in part to the diverse cultivars that thrive in the state’s climate. Here are some of the most popular types:
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Brown Turkey – Reliable variety with tasty purple-brown figs in early summer. Often bears both a breba and main crop.
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Celeste – Sweet, small to medium purplish-brown figs ripening in mid-summer. Grow well across much of Texas.
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Texas Everbearing – Heat-tolerant and lives up to its name, yielding greenish-yellow figs continuously from June to October in central/south Texas.
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Black Mission – Large, sweet purplish-black figs that ripen late summer into fall Needs heat, so does best in southern TX
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LSU Purple – Cold-hardy variety with medium purple figs from July through September Great for northern Texas,
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LSU Gold – Gorgeous yellow skin with strawberry-colored flesh. Ripens late June into August.
When and Where to Find Fresh Figs in Texas
To get a more detailed overview focused on different regions of this vast state, here’s a breakdown of when and where you can find fresh local figs in Texas:
South Texas
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Start of Season: Figs start ripening in late May/early June. Some varieties yield breba crops.
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Peak Season: July and August see figs in full swing. Most trees produce abundant crops.
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End of Season: Fresh figs available into September or even October thanks to late-ripening cultivars.
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Where to Find Them: Roadside stands, farmers markets (Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Houston, etc.). Many home gardeners also grow fig trees.
Central Texas
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Start of Season: Early-mid June, with earliest varieties and some breba crops.
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Peak Season: July through August when main crop peaks on most trees.
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End of Season: Harvesting often lasts into September.
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Where to Find Them: Austin, San Antonio farmers markets, and local orchards.
North Texas
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Start of Season: Late June/early July sees first early varieties.
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Peak Season: August is peak with most varieties in full production.
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End of Season: Fresh figs last into early September.
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Where to Find Them: Dallas, Fort Worth farmers markets and orchards.
West Texas
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Start of Season: Early-mid July for first varieties.
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Peak Season: August has peak harvest, lasting into early September.
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Where to Find Them: Farmers markets in El Paso, Lubbock, Abilene, etc.
As you can see, timing varies across this vast state, but there’s an abundance of fresh figs somewhere in Texas for 3-4 months out of the year.
Choosing Perfectly Ripe Figs
Selecting ideally ripe figs is vital for fully enjoying their luscious flavor and honey-like sweetness. Here are tips on identifying perfect specimens:
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Look for rich, deep color – Ripe figs will be deep purple, brown, black, etc., not greenish or pale.
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Lightly squeeze – A ripe fig will feel softly yielding, like a perfectly ripe peach. Avoid hard or shriveled fruit.
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Take a good sniff – Ripe figs smell wonderfully sweet and perfumey. A great aroma is a good sign.
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Check the neck – A ripe fig’s stem will droop slightly. Dry, brittle stems signal an overripe fig.
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No leaks or bruises – Pass on figs with sap or juices leaking through cracked skin. Bruises also indicate poor quality.
Storing and Using Your Fresh Fig Haul
Once you’ve brought home your haul of luscious fresh figs from the farmers market or orchard, proper storage is key. Here are some tips:
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Store ripe figs in the fridge in a shallow covered container. Don’t wash until ready to eat.
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Use within 2-3 days for best flavor and texture. Their delicate fruit doesn’t keep long.
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Gently rinse figs under cool water just before eating or using in recipes. Don’t soak them.
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Enjoy figs fresh, baked into tarts, grilled, blended into jam, or incorporated into salads, sandwiches, and more!
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Overripe figs can be pureed into sauce or jam. You can also freeze extras.
Savor the Sweetness
Easy, prolific, and delicious!
One of the oldest fruit trees grown by humans is the fig. Fortunately for us in Central Texas, figs are easy to grow. They do not need very rich soil but do need good drainage. Prepare the soil with plenty of good quality compost before planting. If you’re planting in clay soil, make a raised bed by also mixing in prepared soil. See Fruits, Pecans, & Berries for more planting info.
The common fig, grown in Central Texas, does not require pollination to bear fruit. Figs can start bearing in just 2 – 4 years.
LocationChoose a location that receives full sun at least 6 – 8 hours a day. Morning sun is especially important so that dew dries quickly from the leaves; otherwise, they are prone to rust disease. Give each tree space that allows the tree to grow at least 12 – 20 feet wide. Since they can occasionally be injured by frost, a location on the south side of a building can provide extra warmth in winter.
Pruning/Maintenance Fig trees do not like heavy pruning. For example, mature Celeste trees will produce fewer fruits in the spring after a winter pruning. Weak, diseased, or dead limbs should be pruned out in winter. Fig trees prefer regular composting instead of fertilizing. Apply a 2” to 3” layer of high-quality compost in the spring and fall over the entire root zone, especially if your fig is a freeze-sensitive variety. These shallow-rooted trees will also benefit from a layer of mulch during the hotter summer months to maintain even soil moisture. Fig fruits have “eyes” or ostioles that, when open, can be susceptible to souring and insects such as the dried fruit beetle. New cultivars with closed eyes have been introduced.
Production & Harvesting The fruit must ripen on the tree. Harvest figs when the fruit changes color and becomes soft. The stem should separate easily. Consider using holographic scare tape to keep the birds from harvesting the fruit before you do, or try hanging old CDs to help scare them away.
Certain varieties of figs may produce more than one crop per year. A breba (or more commonly breva in Spanish) is a common fig that develops in the spring on the previous year’s shoot growth. In contrast, the main fig crop develops on the current year’s shoot growth and ripens in late summer or fall
After harvest as fall begins, reduce watering. This will encourage the tree to go dormant. After dormancy, water deeply every 3 – 4 weeks, and a few days in advance of a freeze for greater frost protection.
PropagationFigs are one of the easiest fruit crops to propagate. Hardwood cuttings taken when the plants are fully dormant will readily root and are most commonly used for propagation of figs. Cuttings should be six to ten inches in length and approximately one-half to one inch in diameter. Place the cuttings in a warm, humid environment such as wrapping them in a moist paper towel and placed in a plastic bag for 10-14 days to encourage callus formation. Cuttings can then be planted in pots in a commercial potting media to encourage rooting and shoot formation. Softwood cuttings can also be used for propagation, but a mist system is usually needed for successful plant production.
When is the Season for Figs?
FAQ
What month are figs ready to pick in Texas?
Texas Everbearing Fig (Early June – Late August)
What kind of fig grows best in Texas?
Brown Turkey – Also known as “Spanish Mission” and “Texas Ever-Bearing” fig is an easy to grow, hardy fig, that can be container grown or planted in the ground.May 29, 2023
What is the best time of year to buy figs?
Prices stay fairly consistent, though you might find figs a little dearer during winter. Sales spike with the season – you’ll usually see them at their highest around April or May and then notice another slight increase during August or September.