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Picking Figs Early

Posted on 7/26/12 at 4:00 pm
Posted by GarmischTiger
Humboldt County
Member since Mar 2007
6854 posts
Posted on 7/26/12 at 4:00 pm
Got reacquainted with figs this time last year when we moved to our current place with a great mature tree in the front yard. Didn't harvest many due to being preoccupied with unpacking, squaring away new school, job etc. Have spent the past fall, winter and spring looking forward to picking plump, purple fatties. That time is now.

Came home from work today and my wife tells me she caught a guy - wearing gloves and sporting a bag - poaching our figs. She hollered at him, and he feigned English comprehension as he picked "just one more" before eventually scurrying away.

So that's my problem, not yours. Not coming here OT-style seeking methods of vigilante justice. My question is how early can I pick figs and have them still fully ripen? Nothing beats a deep purple, perfectly ripe malleable bulb for flavor - but that's exactly what I'll lose to this *ss clown each time he comes back. Can I pick firm, slightly dark but not yet fully ripe figs and let them sit up, or do they absolutely need to ripen on the branch?
This post was edited on 7/26/12 at 5:01 pm
Posted by Fratastic423
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2007
5990 posts
Posted on 7/26/12 at 4:05 pm to
My grandparents told me to pick them when they were a dark yellow / golden, then leave them in a single layer tray outside for the night and they will ripen up well. I know ripen up isn' the right word since fruit doesnt ripen off the tree, but it works well for me. And then the birds don't take them.

Assuming you are talking about the same variety of figs found in south LA
Posted by Gris Gris
OTIS!NO RULES FOR SAUCES ON STEAK!!
Member since Feb 2008
49636 posts
Posted on 7/26/12 at 4:43 pm to
I'm going to try that because the birds and critters get a lot of mine and I only have half a tree left thanks to a hairycane.
Posted by Coater
Madison, MS
Member since Jun 2005
33517 posts
Posted on 7/26/12 at 4:49 pm to
i've already gotten several jars of preserved figs from my parents. sweet and tasty
Posted by CITWTT
baton rouge
Member since Sep 2005
31765 posts
Posted on 7/26/12 at 5:41 pm to
In SBR they have been ripe for at least a month.
Posted by GarmischTiger
Humboldt County
Member since Mar 2007
6854 posts
Posted on 7/26/12 at 7:19 pm to
I'm in North Virginny - they started plumping up last week.
Posted by dandug001
Shreveport
Member since Oct 2011
1578 posts
Posted on 7/26/12 at 10:56 pm to
my tree in North LA is already empty. Got everything I needed and left the rest for the birds. I just don't know how to get the fruit out of the top of the tree.
Posted by CITWTT
baton rouge
Member since Sep 2005
31765 posts
Posted on 7/27/12 at 7:51 am to
Only one way known to get those at the top. Get some kids to climb up through the tree.
Posted by MrsWiggles
Member since Jul 2012
501 posts
Posted on 7/27/12 at 3:50 pm to
I have a huge tree in my backyard but I have the bird problem every year as well
Posted by bugsy0329
My Own Little World
Member since Dec 2010
68 posts
Posted on 7/27/12 at 4:34 pm to
I only get a few each year because the squirrels and birds eat the higher ones, and my dogs pick the bottom of the tree clean.
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