Fig in January: monthly care

Figs fruit on the previous year's growth, so pruning must be timed carefully to avoid removing potential crops. The main pruning window is January to March, while the tree is dormant. Use clean, sharp secateurs or a pruning saw for thicker branches. In late winter, remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain an open framework that allows light and air into the centre. If your fig is fan-trained against a wall, tie in strong young shoots to fill gaps and cut back any growing away from the wall or into the structure. On freestanding trees, aim for a balanced, open goblet shape by shortening overly long shoots to an outward-facing bud. In June, pinch out the growing tips of new shoots once they have produced five or six leaves. This encourages the formation of embryonic figs at the leaf joints, which will overwinter as pea-sized fruitlets and ripen the following summer. Remove any large, soft figs still on the tree in autumn—they won't survive winter and can harbour disease. Figs grown under glass or in mild coastal areas may need summer thinning if they become congested, but outdoor trees in cooler zones rarely require heavy pruning. Overpruning stimulates vigorous, unproductive growth, so err on the side of restraint. The goal is a tidy, well-spaced structure that maximises sunlight on ripening wood.