What a Fig Tree Needs in April For Succulent Summer Fruits and Lush Foliage

April can be somewhat of a flexible month for fig trees, and any maintenance you need to do will depend on your location. There are, however, going to be tasks for gardeners in all zones, so let's look at what to do with a fig tree in April to help you get a strong harvest this year.

A growing fig tree is low-maintenance, but at this stage in the year, you can ensure they are in a good place for the season ahead. If you haven’t already, pruning and feeding trees in April is definitely needed to promote new growth to carry fruit.

Whether you have fig trees in the ground or in containers, they may also need watering in dry spring and potentially some protection from the weather and pests to keep them healthy. A few simple measures carried out in April can make a big difference for the coming months – so keep a close eye on your figs and show them some love if you want an attractive ornamental tree and a crop of sweet figs come summer.

1. Prune Trees

The window to prune fig trees is still open, but not all gardeners will need to reach for the tools this month. As mentioned earlier, it is one of those jobs that depend on the climate.

Fig growers in warmer climates will likely have done their pruning earlier in the year, in late winter. But the time may be right for those in colder climates, and it is important to get that timing right. The key time to prune fig trees is after your last frost, and before the tree starts budding out for the new season.

This crucial window may be April for many gardeners, so prepare to head out with the pruning tools if this applies to you. Avoid holding off too long, though, as pruning too late after the tree has started growing is a fig growing mistake that will result in lots of sap loss. This weakens the tree, leaving it susceptible to pests and diseases.

Use clean, sharp pruning tools, and wear gloves as the sap can irritate the skin. Working upwards on the tree stops sap from dripping and causing issues.

In terms of how to prune the fig tree, the primary focus of trimming at this time of year is to remove dead, damaged, and diseased wood and lightly shape the tree.

Concentrate on the 3 D’s and also target inward-growing branches, along with weak growth. Trimming branches back to a bud or branch will promote new growth to carry fruit, but use a light touch. Don’t get too carried away and remove more than a third of the growth, as it can lead to stress and erratic regrowth.

2. Feed Trees

As with pruning, some fig growers may already have fed their trees once the buds started to break dormancy earlier in spring. But, for many others, April can be an opportune time to fertilize fig trees to give them a dose of nutrients to develop healthy growth and produce fruit.

A key moniker to remember each season is that when you see growth, it is a perfect time to fertilize.

Fig trees generally don’t need rich, fertile soil, but a feed once a year in spring can provide the nutrition the trees need to develop and ripen fruits. This is the case for trees growing in the ground. However, if the fruit tree grows in pots, it does need a more rigorous feeding regime.

A good fertilizer for fig trees is a balanced, slow-release product that will boost the soil nutrients over an extended period. A good example of such a feed is this 10-10-10 all-purpose fertilizer at Amazon.

After fertilizing in spring, it is also advisable to mulch the trees with a 2-3 inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure, such as this composted cow manure, also from Amazon.

3. Water in Dry Spells

Fig trees naturally grow in dry, sunny climates. They are drought-tolerant fruit trees native to the Mediterranean and western Asia, and their deep roots can search far down into the soil for water and nutrients. However, that does not mean gardeners need never water fig trees.

They do need deep watering during extended periods of dry weather in spring, and will especially want regular watering if they are growing in containers.

Indeed, newly-planted fig trees and those in pots are going to be most in need of watering in April. Keep a close eye on both of these to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Check the moisture level a few inches under the soil surface with your fingers. If it feels dry, water the tree.

Alternatively, use a soil moisture meter, and it will tell you when the tree needs watering. You can get a long probe soil moisture meter at Amazon.

Water the tree well, but don’t waterlog the soil, which can be especially risky in containers. Fig trees sitting in saturated soil for too long can lead to yellowing leaves, foliage drop, or root rot.

4. Protect From Late Frosts

In colder climates, fig trees may need some protection from late spring frosts. Keep checking local forecasts and be prepared to act if temperatures look set to drop below 32°F at night. Severe frosts and freezing winds can damage new growth and buds, potentially wrecking any harvest.

Some varieties of figs are hardier than others, so it pays to understand your type of fig and the temperatures it can tolerate. The ‘Chicago Hardy’ fig is a popular cold-hardy type suited for growers in colder climates, and you can get a live Chicago Hardy fig tree at Fast Growing Trees.

A simple way of protecting fruit trees from frost is to wrap them in frost cloth (horticultural fleece), burlap, or old sheets. Place the covers ahead of freezing temperatures, and remove them when temperatures rise again the following day so pollinators can get to any blooms.

Fig trees in containers can be moved indoors or to a protected spot and wrapped for the night. Placing covers over the container will insulate the roots from frost, such as these winter pot covers at Amazon.

5. Deal with Pests or Damage

Even if you took steps to winterize your fig trees and protected them from challenging weather, your trees may have suffered damage. And spring can have turbulent weather, including storms.

Check your trees for any signs of damage, especially after any spring storms, and remove any broken branches promptly with clean, sharp pruning tools.

There are also early pests around in April. Fresh growth on fig trees is appealing to active pests in spring, and it is advisable to keep a close eye and catch issues quickly.

The likes of aphids and scale insects can be found on new shoots and leaves. These are both sap-sucking insects that congregate around new stems, leaves, and buds and can be spotted by honeydew (a sticky residue) that is left behind them.

You can knock them off plants with a blast of water, scrape them off stems, or, as a last resort, spray with insecticidal soap spray, available at Walmart.

Fig tree borer is a major issue that feeds on all parts of the tree. It tends to strike in summer, but it is advisable to watch out for any symptoms in spring, including stunted growth or wilted stems.

The best way to prevent fig tree borer is to keep the tree healthy, as they are attracted to stressed trees and dead or damaged wood.

What to Shop

Looking ahead, you want to ensure that birds and squirrels don’t nab your figs as they ripen on the tree. Did you realise you can cover figs in tinfoil as they’re developing to stop any pests getting to enjoy them before you?

Wrapping the fruits can trap moisture, so it is advisable to poke some holes in the foil to allow airflow if you want to experiment with this technique.

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