Tag Archives: figs

Fig Defenders, Part 2

8 May

The Starbucks brown bags are not the perfect solution to protect our figs after all! The squirrels are getting smarter and have managed to beat us to the game. Darn them!

So we have up our defenses against them by using plastic fruit, vege, and egg containers instead of brown bags. These containers are much more effective in keeping the raiders out. We can also see the figs to monitor their growth.

A more effective protection for our figs

Previously, with the brown bags, it took more effort to monitor as we had to open each one to inspect. With the clear plastic now, there is no need for this step. So far, it’s going well with the figs thriving for us to harvest.

It is a constant learning process to be good fig defenders against those sneaky garden squirrels.

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Fig Defenders

21 Apr

We found the perfect solution to protect our figs from being raided on the trees in the garden. Who would have known that used Starbucks brown bags work better than the much-touted netting bags and reflecting CDs?

After the last raid, we had to do something. I found some Starbucks takeaway bags tucked between the storage containers on the kitchen counter and decided to use them. I cut one bag into three pieces and wrapped the ripening fruits individually. And I added staples to secure the bag firmly on the plants.

This little extra effort has proven to be fruitful, literally. Yesterday afternoon, hubby harvested a large fig thus far compared to all previous harvests. Measuring four centimeters across, it was the sweetest and juiciest home-grown fig! Delicious.

Previous harvests were puny because hubby plucked them before the squirrels could eat them. And this prevented the fruits from growing to their maximum. So now we know that brown paper bags can protect and, at the same time, allow the fig to grow even more – we will have to get more paper bags.

Juiciest fig from the garden!

However, we are using a Lunar New Year red packet because we ran out of brown bags. Perhaps this can work too? As long as we cover the ripening figs in sight and smell, the garden squirrels have no chance to raid.

Fig Defenders are now one up against the Fig Raiders. Yay.

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Fig Raiders, Part 2

18 Apr

The battle with the fig raiders has become a daily affair because the plants are fruiting. So far, I think the score is even. Hubby harvested some ripened figs, and the garden squirrel ate some from the plant. Hrmph.

We have resorted to a new method, wrapping the fruit with takeaway brown paper bags. Stapled for added strength, we hope this will protect the fruit. But alas, the rain came down yesterday evening, and the bag got wet and weakened. Oh no!

The netting bags have not been much good in protecting the figs, hence the raids now and then. Maybe I add brown bags to the netting bags for reinforcement? Hmm, whatever it takes to prevent the fig raiders, we will do it.

Precious fruits

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Fig Raiders

10 Apr

The darn garden squirrels are at it again, beating us to the fruits! Aaargh. Last week, when we were away, several figs were ripening on one fig plant. But we couldn’t get to harvest them on time upon our return.

The four-legged furries were faster than us and helped themselves to not one or two but four figs on the plant. Four figs! They must be hungry or very daring. Unfortunately, hubby did not cover the fruits with netting bags, so the fruits were exposed.

Evidence of the raid. Hrmph

But even the netting bags cannot deter these darn fig raiders, for we have seen fig fruits disappear inside a bag, still intact in its place! We have even tied old CDs as light reflectors to scare the raiders, but this method is not working too. Sigh.

We need new methods to prevent the fig-raiding squirrels from eating the fresh figs off the plants. Any ideas?

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Growing the Fig Family

17 Oct

If there’s one thing besides patience I discovered during the pandemic when we were under lockdown, it was online shopping. One can buy just about whatever we fancied at the click of the mouse.

In the last two years, during the lockdowns, my favorite item to buy from my go-to online shopping site was DIY miniature kits. But hubby is different in his purchasing choices. He buys plants!

Although he has bought plants in the past, they are mostly air plants, nothing heavy. These days, he continues to buy plants online instead of from the nursery, even though there are no more lockdowns. The last two purchases were fig plants, which are far heavier than air plants! The most recent one was rather large trees, in my opinion.

So now, we have nine fig trees and growing the fig family. It should be interesting.

The latest five fig plants!

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Darn Those Critters

7 Oct

Our fig plants are growing well. Yesterday, hubby saw one fruit ripening on the tree, and he thought it would be ready for us to eat the next day. But guess what? Those darn garden critters got to it before us! Argh.

The fig must be really good, almost gone!

Remember when we had that pineapple that ripened, and the garden squirrel helped itself to it, standing precariously in between the blades of the pineapple plant? Double ugh.

We have to be more vigilant when it comes to our precious fruits in the garden. If we see one ripened, we’d better wrap it, protect it or do whatever to prevent those darn critters from eating them before us.

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Newbies in the Garden, Part 2

12 Sep

I have decided to name the four fig trees Eeny Meenie Miney Moe. And they are proving to be a handful, more so than a new pet!

Every day, hubby shifts the pots out from the terrace to be under the sun. But when the weather changes from sunny to cloudy, the reverse takes place. Even though they are named Eeny Meenie Miney Moe, we cannot be selective. If one moves, everyone moves.

Eeny Meenie Miney Moe enjoying some sun

I hope with all this care and attention, the least the fig trees can do is to reward us soon with some fruits!

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Newbies in the Garden

5 Sep

Recently, unbeknownst to me, hubby bought fig trees for the garden. I didn’t think much of it when he said he was going out to collect them from the seller. After all, he’s always buying something for the garden.

When he got home, boy, was I surprised! He bought four trees. It’s interesting to have this in our garden, something new that is edible if taken care of properly.

Figs are small trees or indoor plants by classification. And they do well under the hot sun with lots of space to grow and proper drainage. Given that our weather can be rainy most time, we will have to find a suitable spot for them. Otherwise, they will be indoor house plants.

Let’s see how successful this new endeavor is for the newbies in the garden to thrive. I can’t wait for the first harvest as two trees are starting to fruit already!

Latest acquisitions for the garden, and fruiting!

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