Where to find them
Figs are one of the few things that makes summer in Texas feel like there is still good in the world. They are sinfully sweet, but not actually sinful. And, while a purist may not consider figs a forage food since most varieties do not grow wild, they have been grown in this area for generations, and it is not uncommon to find them in public spaces around Central Texas.
When to pick them
Figs are ripe when they turn from green and hard to brown and soft. If you bite one, the inside should be pink (it’s beautiful). If it’s white, it’s underripe and won’t taste like anything. Be sure to pick your fruit ripe, as they will not continue to ripen once picked. The fruits are perfect for eating fresh (and immediately!), which is my strong preference. But, if you have access to a tree that you can snag lots of fruit without stripping the tree, then this fruit is an excellent candidate for preserving by drying or in jams, jellies, and chutneys.
How to propagate them
This is a tree with a reputation for easy growing, and for good reason. They root easily if you take a cutting when the tree is dormant. To root your own, you can take a 7″ cutting when the tree is dormant (in the winter, after the frost has caused all the leaves to drop), bury the bottom 6″ of the cutting in some soil (a propagation mix from your local organic nursery is a good choice) and keep watered. I’ve had the best luck by keeping mine in a pot for a few months or even a year and then planting it in the fall. Once you get them started, all you need to do is keep them watered and mulch them heavily.