Figs

[foragingmouse]

I've no experience with figs but have found a massive wild tree with hundreds of figs on , how long do they take to mature ? 
Do they change colour ? 
Any good recipes How far are these from ripening 

[cab]

Oh, prepare for heartbreak

Tend to ripen in late summer in a really good year, or maybe early autumn - although more often than not in the UK fig trees I've found never ripen before the start of winter and you get nowt . They want the year to be constantly wettish without being too wet - although if the local climate is good the tree can buck the trend.

Used to be good crops of figs to be had on the trees by the River Don up in Sheffield, back when the river water cooled the steelworks and was spat out warm. Here in Cambridge there are a few wildling figs, but I get ripe figs around once every 5 years, and precious few at that.

Yours are worth looking in on every couple of weeks if you've time - I'd guess they're a good way off yet though.

[foragingmouse]

Cheers cab I think

I'll be checking on these fortnightly and crossing fingers

[Brewforagegrow]

Keep your eyes peeled for the honey like tear at the bottom. If that appears then you know they're ripe.

Of you're out of luck and they didn't ripen, you can actually use unripe figs. Not the same as a gooey oozy perfectly ripe fig, but you can preserve unripe ones in a syrup to make a sweet/jam type affair.

Remember that unripe figs can irritate the skin, so worth wearing gloves if you decide to pick them.

[foragingmouse]

Nice one great tips cheers ,

[Carrie]

I just pick them once they feel really soft. Mine get a more golden cast to them too when ripe. I'm getting ripe figs on my tree here the states (new england) but they're just starting to come in. I hope they go ripe for you, you'll be in for a treat