Fig Pruning Strategy for Consistent Annual Crops

Figs produce a small breba crop on old wood in early summer and a main crop on new wood in fall. Severe winter pruning removes the breba crop and delays the main crop.

Recommended Schedule

1. January (Year 1): Prune to half the desired maximum size.
2. Summer (monthly): Pinch tips of vertical shoots at 2 feet.
3. After fall harvest: Corrective pruning; remove vertical limbs, keep horizontal fruiting wood.
4. No winter pruning thereafter. Summer/fall pruning maintains size and yields both crops.

Key Tips

• Water well after fall pruning.
• Horizontal limbs bear most fruit; preserve them.

Images

This schedule balances early and late crops while controlling size.