The fig, Ficus carica, is one of the oldest cultivated fruits, with a history stretching back thousands of years across the Mediterranean and Western Asia. Its long-standing popularity is matched by a unique growth habit that often confuses new growers about its true harvest season. Unlike many temperate fruits that yield a single annual harvest, fig production is often split into two distinct fruiting periods. The tree’s annual cycle is intricately linked to the changing seasons, resulting in a staggered fruit development that provides harvests spread across several months. This dual-harvest capability is a defining characteristic of the common fig tree.
The Unique Two-Crop Cycle
The fig tree’s ability to produce fruit across multiple seasons stems from its distinct two-crop cycle. The first harvest, commonly called the Breba crop, develops from tiny, overwintered fruitlets that formed late in the previous growing season. These fruitlets develop on the older wood that grew during the prior year, ripening relatively early as the tree emerges from its winter rest. The Breba crop appears in late spring to early summer, providing the first taste of the season’s figs.
This initial crop is typically smaller in quantity and often less sweet or complex in flavor compared to the later harvest. Because these fruitlets must survive the winter, they are susceptible to damage from late spring frosts, which can reduce the Breba yield significantly. Some fig varieties are specifically known for producing a reliable Breba crop, while others may yield none at all, dedicating all their energy to the subsequent, larger harvest.
The second and primary harvest is the Main Crop, which forms on the new wood grown during the current season. As the tree puts on new vegetative growth throughout the late spring and summer, it sets new fruit buds in the leaf axils of these new shoots. These fruitlets require the long, warm days of summer to mature fully.
The Main Crop harvest begins in late summer and continues well into the fall, representing the most abundant and highest-quality yield of the year. Due to the extended ripening time in the heat, these figs achieve a superior sugar content and more concentrated flavor. The timing and abundance of this main harvest determine the success of the fig-growing season.
Seasonal Timeline and Growth Stages
The annual life of a fig tree begins in spring, marking the emergence from dormancy as temperatures rise. During this period, the overwintered Breba fruitlets begin their final swelling and rapid development. Simultaneously, the tree initiates vigorous new vegetative growth, pushing out new leaves and shoots that will host the Main Crop.
As the months transition into summer, the tree focuses intensely on growth and fruit development, which requires significant energy. The Breba crop reaches full maturity and is harvested in late spring or early summer, depending on the climate and specific variety. The newly set fruitlets of the Main Crop undergo a sustained 120- to 150-day development period throughout the hottest months.
Late summer and early fall constitute the peak harvest window for the Main Crop figs. Fruit continues to ripen sequentially along the new branches, offering a consistent supply until cooler weather arrives. Once the tree senses the shortening daylight hours and dropping temperatures of late fall, it slows its growth and begins to prepare for winter.
The fig tree is deciduous, meaning it sheds its leaves and enters a state of deep dormancy during winter. This rest period is essential for its survival and its ability to produce a strong crop the following year. While dormant, the tree is much more tolerant of cold, but the small Breba fruitlets set on the old wood must endure the winter to ripen in the spring.
Climate Requirements for Optimal Fruiting
The fig tree thrives in environments that replicate its native Mediterranean climate, specifically requiring long, hot summers to complete its fruiting cycle successfully. A sustained period of intense heat and bright sunshine is necessary to ensure the Main Crop fruitlets reach their maximum sugar content and full size. Insufficient summer heat can cause the Main Crop figs to fail to ripen fully before the cold returns.
Established fig trees exhibit a remarkable tolerance for drought, but consistent water is necessary during the periods of fruit development, particularly in the summer. A lack of moisture while the fruit is swelling can lead to premature fruit drop or a smaller harvest. Conversely, inconsistent watering can cause the nearly ripe fruit to split, ruining the harvest.
The tree also requires a mild winter, though its deciduous nature allows it to tolerate some cold, often surviving in climates down to USDA Hardiness Zone 8 without protection. Even in colder regions, varieties like ‘Chicago Hardy’ can survive with sufficient protection, as the tree must experience a necessary chilling period for proper dormancy and vigorous spring growth. Without this winter rest, the tree’s health and subsequent fruit production are compromised.