Frequently Asked Questions
News Update
I am now doing workshops! I also have Chinese date and other trees. For information, see below.
Do you do workshops?
Glad you asked! I can do educational workshops about figs in the form of lectures or "hands-on" propogation workshops. I can even set up workshops so the participants can take home their very own fig tree. I also hold workshops called "Lets do Branch"! These workshops will cover air layering. More information about these particular workshops can be found on the main page under "Announcements". If you are interested in having a workshop done by me, please contact me at 505.266.8000 or email me.
Can I become an apprentice?
I would love to set up Individualized apprenticeship programs in fig culture -from one weekend duration to several months. Just give me a call and we can discuss your interests and perhaps set something up.
Can you tell me about the fig Leaf tea?
While the use of fresh or dried leaf, stem, branch and fruit all have several folk medicine uses around the world this is what my customers have been using fig leaf tea for: blood sugar balancing, cholesterol reduction, improving blood circulation, for easy menopause, reduction of menstrual cramping, easing arthritis, weight loss, and treatments for cancer. Even though I have been an herbalist for 4 decades I had never known anything about the use of fig leaves until 2 years ago when people started to ask for it. I am not prescribing here, I am merely reciting how my customers are using this delicious chamomile like tasting beverage.
Can you tell me about your fig leaf tea process?
I mix as many as 10 different varieties for my fig leaf tea. Each variety differs in taste and is grown with about 350 days of sunshine at 5000 feet elevation. It is a labor of love with hand picking and only a few leaves can be taken from each tree in this micro pruning process.They are hand washed in filtered water, stems are removed, they are dried at low temperatures so not to kill enzymes. They loose up to 70% of their weight when dried. The tea is , just fig leaves with a flavor like chamomile, and a hint of mint and toasted coconut.
How water intensive are fig trees? Does this make sense during a drought?
Every fruit tree in the first year will take a fair amount of water but once established fig trees are not only drought tolerant but are low water users as well.
How big do fig trees get in Albuquerque?
What is best to grow here are bushes, and they tend to grow to about the size of a Patio Umbrella - they are wider than they are tall. Think of it as a grove of fig bushes.
How long does it take to produce fruit?
One to three years.
When do fig trees produce?
One crop trees, usually produce in Early August through September, two crop varieties early August and again in September. They will often be the last plant to leaf out in the spring. So do not be surprised if a month or two or five passes and then suddenly they leaf out
How do we know when a fig is ripe?
When the fig is like a hanged man - when the neck is long and bent, when the skin is wrinkled and when there is a tear at the eye (the eye is the little hole at the bottom of the fig).
Where do I plant fig trees on my property?
They can be planted within three feet of a wall for heat reflection in the winter and coolness of roots in summer. West and South facing directions are best, however North is also good.
How do I plant fig trees?
Figs are shallow rooted. Plant them no deeper than the pot they are in but three times as wide as the same pot. Any soil additives and compost are placed on top to insulate and cool the roots.
Can figs really grow in New Mexico?
Figs can grow anywhere in New Mexico in the High Desert, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Deming, Taos, Los Alamos. Figs can do so well in New Mexico, all we have to do is be mindful of them in the winter and during the last few spring frosts. Insulating them with leaves and plastic when they are young during the winter months is advised. Our Alkaline clay soil and sand is fine as it tends to keep the fig trees small, usually less than eleven feet high.
Who brought figs to this region?
Many figs were brought here by the Spanish 400 years ago, and also in the last 150 years by immigrant Italian, Greek, Mexican, Lebanese, and Syrian families. There's often a fig tree left behind wherever an immigrant family has lived.
My fig seems to have died over the winter. What do I do?
Figs are big tricksters, because of unusual or late frosts figs can bear fruit and leaf out up to four months later than expected. Every year is so different than the last.
Where are your fig trees from?
We have figs from all over the state of New Mexico.
Where else in the United States can figs be grown?
Since Figs can be grown with care even in such climates as Chicago, we can grow figs anywhere with sunlight in New Mexico - and sunlight is one thing we have plenty of. Remember, we ship bare root trees in the winter and early spring..
What is the best tasting fig?
This is like asking which of your friends is your best friend? Figs come in a rainbow of colors and flavors and the inside from purple to strawberry. A ripe fig is one of the best tasting fruits period.
Do you have any other plants and trees beside fig trees?
Yes, I have pomegranate trees; and Chinese date trees.
POMEGRANATE?
I recently added -6 degree hardy pomegranates and 400 year old greengage plums. The Pomegranite is a self-pollinating hardy pomegranite...one of the hardiest in the United States.
What about the Chinese date trees?
I have for sale the Chinese date tree. Want to have dates with your figs? Do you need a tree that doesn't have to be winterized? The red Chinese date or Jujube is a tree that has been in the Southwest since the 1870's, doing very well in Albuquerque for the last 50 years, loves poor soil, full to partial sun, little water, borer resistant, can be grown 20 ft high or 10 ft bush, waxy leaves and zigzag branches, self pollinating though better with two, producing sweet, non sticky,date like fruit considered for 4000 years to be the classic Chinese medicine for liver and kidney. This tree has an unbelievable temperature range of minus 25 to + 125 so it could handle our worst possible Winter , higher elevations or hottest Summer . The fruit is rich in vitamin C and has 3% protein which is very unusual for a fruit. It is notable that in New Mexico the Chinese Date Tree has no enemies; either from diseases or insects. Call me for information.
FIG TREES FOR SALE ALL YEAR!
We have Paypal invoicing available to expedite the sale of which ever tree you choose. The "Fig Man" will personalize each sale to ensure your satisfaction, and email you an invoice to finalize the sale.
Over 10 varieties from $50 on up for heirloom historical non-nursery varieties.
All from the Albuquerque & New Mexico area, making them very hardy.
I also have Chinese date trees (Sold out 2022) (see FAQ above), -6 degree Pomegranates and -15 degree Goji berry plants too (one of the highest anti-oxidants known and one of the easiest plants to grow)!
Gift Certificates available.
All from the Albuquerque & New Mexico area, making them very hardy.
I also have Chinese date trees (Sold out 2022) (see FAQ above), -6 degree Pomegranates and -15 degree Goji berry plants too (one of the highest anti-oxidants known and one of the easiest plants to grow)!
Gift Certificates available.
* Shipping to the Continental United States is Listed
** Please email for shipping rates outside the Continental United States
** Please email for shipping rates outside the Continental United States