Let’s take a break from real estate and talk about figs. Today, I’ll update you on my fig trees. Figs are sweet, juicy, and a perfect antidote to the oppressive gravity of life these days.
The first crop of figs from my fig trees is traditionally a joyous event in the Darwinian household. I’ve marked this event with “First Fig” blog posts for the past two years (2018 and 2019).
This year the figs started to emerge in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, recent property acquisitions, and some changes in my day job. So the first fig announcement came and went.
I did document everything with pictures, though. So today I’m pleased to share with you a picture of the first fig of 2020 and also the subsequent crop from both of my mature fig trees. It’s been a banner year!
First jelly fig of the summer
The figs in the opening photo are the first two figs from my elephant ear fig tree. This beauty, below, is the first one from our beloved jelly fig tree. It’s a stellar example of its deep red color and jelly like flesh.
Elephant ear fig bounty
The large fruit of the elephant ear fig tree have been particularly numerous this year. Here’s a beauty shot of some of them on my cutting board. Each of these are about half the size of my palm.
We’ve also discovered that these figs are even more delicious peeled! We were served peeled figs for dessert during a trip to Sicily over a decade ago. It took us a while to try peeled figs ourselves at home, but I’m glad we did.
Peeled figs are all mushy sweetness without the skin, which tends to be less flavorful and more fibrous. It’s a bit of a messy experience, but the taste makes up for this.
The fig trees
Both trees are very healthy this year, likely due to a rainy winter and daily watering by my parents. Their leaf growth is strong, and their branches are overflowing with figs.
The elephant ear fig tree The jelly fig tree
An overabundance of riches
Just this past week, the fig production has moved into high gear. All of a sudden, dozens of figs are ripening every couple of days. They’re so many that we’re struggling to eat them fast enough!
I’ve considered giving them away at work, but with the Covid-19 pandemic, I decided it’s not a good idea. If we can’t keep up, I’ll freeze the remainder for future smoothies or baking.
The next generation
My fig sapling collection has grown tremendously with the new cuttings that I added over the winter.
Here’s a photo of them now. We planted three of them in the ground, and the rest of the saplings are happily growing in pots.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this lighthearted update on my fig trees. We’ve been so blessed this summer with an overabundance of figs. I’m almost fearful when I think about next summer, when some of the saplings will likely start producing fruit too. We’ll be swimming in figs!
My older son has proposed we sell the excess figs at the local farmer’s market. This is a bit ambitious, but if Covid-19 is behind us next summer, I think we’ll at least have a fig and lemonade stand.
-TDD
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