Question: I want to plant a tree or shrub that furthers a quest to develop my yard as an “edible landscape” for a couple of reasons. One is an effort to get more healthy food in my family’s diet and another is to maximize space in our yard. The idea of “multi-purpose” plants appeals to me – ones that not only look good but provide food as well. Any suggestions for such an addition?  Oh, and by the way, we already planted blueberry bushes, which we love.

 Answer: Goodness, we in the South are associated with many cultural characteristics; our love for college football, family traditions, and food are just a few. In fact, I think we were probably the original “foodies,” just other parts of the country didn’t know it. And we are trying to “eat healthier” for good and obvious reasons. OK, then how about a plant that fits into most landscapes, whether in-ground or in a large pot, comes back every year, shows off large, semi-exotic leaves that create serious shade, and offers a sweet fruit that has a cookie named for it?

 Yes, we’re talking about the filling in the Fig Newton cookie, that delicious fig fruit enjoyed by humans since ancient history. Figs are low in calories, but rich in soluble dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins such as A, E, K, B-complex, and anti-oxidants. Fresh or dried, eaten in salads, cakes, ice-cream, dried and added to soup or stews, muffins, and pies, or even marinated with raspberry sauce, figs are edible natural wonders!

 Sounds like a possibility for your property? What does a fig shrub need to be healthy and produce the best fig crop? Figs (Ficus carica) belong to the Mulberry family of plants, and are native to temperate Mediterranean climates. Cultivated as a fruit tree in home gardens, figs can bear up to several hundred pear shaped fruits every year. There are 700 plus varieties of figs worldwide. Although many are not suitable for this area of Alabama, we can choose from those in the Green/Yellow or Dark-colored fig groups. Some varieties have been planted for many years; others are still relatively unknown and not grown. Alma, Blanche, Conadria, Brown Turkey, Celeste, and LSU Purple are a few names that fig growers in this area may recognize.

 Due to their Mediterranean background, figs produce the best fruit in climates with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. While our summers capture “hot” quite nicely, our humidity can be an issue so be careful about air circulation and plant so there is adequate space between them and other vegetation. Some varieties can reach 20’ or more in height, and a fig’s shallow root system can reach 3 times the diameter of its canopy.

 While figs like well-drained soil with lots of organic matter, they will grow and produce in average to even poor soil, with a preferred pH of 6-6.5. Fig plants appreciate healthy helpings of manure and compost and need 8 hours of sun to help ripen the fruit. Figs need regular water (rainfall or irrigated) but can’t handle “wet feet” (roots in soggy or waterlogged soil). Prune fig trees in late winter or early spring by removing about one-third of growth, and remove dead, diseased, or damaged wood at any time during the year.