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Q. I’ve always understood that, in our climate at the coast, the second fig crop does not mature. That’s why I’m puzzled by reports of the second crop ripening in local gardens.
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Have you heard of this, and do you think there is a connection to climate change?
A. My fig tree, a Desert King, has never matured the second crop, but I have heard in recent years, especially the hottest ones, of this happening.
Fruit Trees and More, a nursery and demonstration orchard in North Saanich on Vancouver Island, lists several varieties that ripen the late crop. Visit fruittreesandmore.com to see their fig variety list. Another source of information is Figs for Life on Denman Island.
The first, early August crop of figs is called the breba crop. It ripens on wood produced in the previous year. The second crop, called the main crop, ripens on the current year’s wood, mid-September to mid-October.
According to Fruit Trees and More, figs most likely to ripen a main crop as well as a breba crop are Adler, Barbillone, Lattarula (Italian Honey), Lebanese Red and San Antonio. The website gives descriptions of each.
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Surprise ripening of the main crop on more usually grown figs like Desert King and Brown Turkey is very likely one of many ongoing changes gardeners have been observing. These include earlier than usual heat waves, hot summers and long periods of drought, changes that are also calling for some alterations in long-held gardening practices.
Q. Have you found a way to grow heat-sensitive salad plants through periods of hot, sunny weather?
A. I’ve invested in shade cloth that creates 50 per cent shade and lowers the temperature around plants. I’ve found it works wonderfully to allow lettuces and other salad greens to develop nicely during hot summer weather.
Most garden centres carry horticultural shade cloth, and there are online sources. I found the kind I wanted at Lee Valley Tools. Look for a product that creates 30 to 50 per cent shade.
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