General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers.

  February 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Prune Prune lightly to maintain good branch structure and size. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers. 6. Propagate Propagate by stem cuttings taken at pruning time, before the new leaves.

  March 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Fertilize Fertilize with a balanced plant food. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, since they inhibit fruit formation. 4. Water Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. 5. Mulch Mulch to conserve water use and protect surface roots. 6. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 7. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers.

  April 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Water Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers.

  May 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Water Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers.

  June 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Water Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. 4. Protect Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers. 7. Harvest Harvest small early summer crop (this crop may be quite small after a cool spring). Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches.

  July 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Water Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. 4. Protect Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers.

  August 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Water Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. 4. Protect Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers. 7. Harvest Harvest main late summer/fall crop. Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches.

  September 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Water Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. 4. Protect Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers. 7. Harvest Harvest main late summer/fall crop. Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches.

  October 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Water Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. 4. Protect Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers. 7. Harvest Harvest main late summer/fall crop. Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches.

  November 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Water Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers. 6. Harvest Harvest main late summer/fall crop. Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches.

  December 1. Buy Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. 2. Plant Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Control snails and gophers.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! January Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. February Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. March Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. April Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. May Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. June Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. July Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. August Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. September Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. October Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. November Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate. December Buy plants from reputable sources to make sure you get the varieties best suited to your climate.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? January Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. February Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. March Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. April Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. May Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. June Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. July Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. August Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. September Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. October Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. November Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. December Plant in full sun in well-drained soil.

  Sow Seeds When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements? March Fertilize with a balanced plant food. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which will discourage fruiting.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? March Fertilize with a balanced plant food. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, since they inhibit fruit formation.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? March Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. April Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. May Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. June Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. July Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. August Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. September Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. October Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split. November Water regularly but deeply during the growing season. Periodic deep soakings will help leach salts from the soil, assuring a better crop. Avoid over-watering when fruit is ripening, since this can cause fruit to split.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? February Prune lightly to maintain good branch structure and size.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? March Mulch to conserve water use and protect surface roots.

  Protect When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved? June Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. July Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. August Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. September Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. October Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? January Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. February Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. March Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. April Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. May Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. June Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. July Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. August Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. September Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. October Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. November Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots. December Check for snails. Also watch for gophers, which love fig roots.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? January Control snails and gophers. February Control snails and gophers. March Control snails and gophers. April Control snails and gophers. May Control snails and gophers. June Control snails and gophers. July Control snails and gophers. August Control snails and gophers. September Control snails and gophers. October Control snails and gophers. November Control snails and gophers. December Control snails and gophers.

  Propagate When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements? February Propagate by stem cuttings taken at pruning time, before the new leaves.

  Harvest When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features? June Harvest small early summer crop (this crop may be quite small after a cool spring). Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches. July Harvest small early summer crop (this crop may be quite small after a cool spring). Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches. August Harvest main late summer/fall crop. Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches. September Harvest main late summer/fall crop. Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches. October Harvest main late summer/fall crop. Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches. November Harvest main late summer/fall crop. Pick fruit only when fully ripe -- it should come off easily from the branches.