Fig trees are a wonderful addition to a home garden and can live for more than 50 years if cared for properly. April is a crucial time for preparing trees for a healthy growing season and maximizing fruit production.

Growing fig trees is a mostly hands-off endeavor, but a few spring tasks will help you get the most out of your tree. A little care now will make all the difference this summer. You’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labor before you know it!

Let’s get down to business and prep your fig trees for their best year yet.

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1. Last Chance for Pruning

If your fig tree is still dormant in April, which is common in cooler parts of the country, now is the time to prune. Pruning during the dormant stage is important. Pruning fig trees just before they begin to put out new growth in the spring will allow them to heal quickly when they get growing and won’t harm your crop of figs. Pruning too late will attract pests to the fig tree’s sap and open wounds in the tree can invite disease.

Cold-hardy fig trees like ‘Chicago Hardy’ figs (available from Fast Growing Trees) are frequently grown in containers and should be pruned so they don’t become too top-heavy. Mature fig trees should be pruned so 3-5 strong branches are the main scaffolding of the tree. Thinning the canopy and pruning away any tree suckers will allow proper airflow and sunlight penetration so the tree will grow well and produce good fruits.

2. Fertilize

When new growth begins, you should fertilize fig trees to give them a good nutrient boost. In warmer climates, this window might have already passed. In cooler climates, now is the ideal time to feed your fig trees. As figs enter the active growing stage of the year they need nutrients to ensure healthy roots, foliage, and an abundant crop of tasty fruits.

Firstly, water your tree the day before you plant to fertilize so the roots are hydrated and ready to absorb fertilizer. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer, like Burpee Organic All Purpose 4-4-4 fertilizer from Amazon, and work into the top inch of soil with a hand rake.

After fertilizing, apply mulch to keep roots cool and moist through the summer heat. Be sure to keep the mulch away from the trunk of your fig tree. Mulch touching the trunk will invite fungal problems.

3. Manage Damage

Your fig tree may look a little worse for wear after winter and April is the time to manage the damage. Limbs may have been snapped in early spring storms, pests are beginning to wake up, and the threat of a late frost is still in the air.

When you prune your fig tree, be sure to carefully prune out any broken branches and dead limbs. Pruning will help your fig to not waste energy on dying branches, but instead focus on new growth and fruit production.

Common fig tree pests like carpenter worms, dried fruit beetles, fig beetles, scale insects, and fig tree borers are waking up and getting to work in the spring. You should identify pests early in the season so you can remove infected wood or use physical barriers or chemical controls where appropriate. Don’t sleep on this task. Catching infestations early is critical to the survival of your tree.

In addition to pest management, you should keep an eye on the weather. Figs are native to the Mediterranean, so they won’t handle a late cold snap well, unless they are a specially bred cold-hardy variety. Cover trees with protective frost blankets, which can be found at Amazon. If you have container-grown figs, bring them back indoors when there is a cold snap in the forecast. A plant caddy, available from the Home Depot, can help you easily roll your potted fig tree indoors or around your patio for optimal sun exposure and easy watering.

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