Having fruit trees in your yard is a year-round joy. But, some fruits never quite make it to our kitchens because pests get to them first. That's why I've found gardeners are turning to covering figs in tinfoil to protect them from birds and squirrels.
It's a simple hack for growing a fig tree, but one you wouldn't necessarily think to try. By putting a physical barrier in place, you can stop curious wildlife from stealing your harvest, without causing any harm to them. Not only this, but it's a trick that can aid getting a fig tree to fruit and ripen.
'It's a trick my neighbour used to do when I was a child,' says Homes & Gardens' Head of Gardens, Rachel Bull. 'The foil not only help to deter birds and squirrels, who are put off by the shiny, reflective surface, it can also help to ripen figs in colder regions,' she adds. Here, Rachel explains how exactly covering figs in tinfoil works, as well as the pros and cons of doing so.
How to use tinfoil to protect figs
For this hack, you simply need one thing: tinfoil (from Walmart).
'My neighbor would individually wrap each fig fruit in tinfoil to protect his harvest. It might sound painstaking, but it can be really useful, especially if you have a smaller tree to protect,' Rachel describes.
You should cover the figs when they're large enough to be spotted by pests that can destroy plants and are ready to ripen. Signs your figs are at this stage include the fruit starting to change color and soften, when they're most susceptible to being eaten by birds and squirrels.
'There are two things I remember my neighbour telling me. First, double up your foil and then wrap it very securely around the fruit, as birds and squirrels are clever and persistent,' Rachel advises.
'Secondly, always poke a few very small holes through the foil sheet first, as this will help a little bit of airflow to get to the fruits and will stop them from rotting before they are ready to pick,' she adds.
You can poke holes in the foil using cocktail sticks, toothpicks (from Amazon), or even a fork. Failing to provide this access to air is a fig growing mistake that could leave you with mushy, rotten fruit.
At the same time as keeping squirrels away from fruit trees, covering figs in tinfoil will also help ripen the fruit. This is because it traps in heat, creating a greenhouse effect and encouraging figs to sweeten and soften more quickly – a particular benefit if you live in a cooler region where your figs are struggling to get enough warmth to ripen.
Disadvantages of this method
Of course, there are some downsides to covering figs in tinfoil that you should be aware of.
The first being it can be unsightly among your fruit trees to have lots of shiny balls of tinfoil. Although, this isn't necessarily an issue if you're prioritizing a bumper harvest over garden aesthetics.
Something else to be aware of is the tinfoil trapping in excess moisture. This can lead to rotting before the fruit is ready to be eaten, which is why Rachel emphasises poking holes in the foil for airflow.
This trick is also time-consuming, as it requires each and every fig to be covered. But, as Rachel notes, 'If you lose your figs every year to hungry wildlife, it might just be worth giving it a go.'
FAQs
Do you leave the tinfoil on until you harvest the figs?
If you are covering figs in tinfoil to protect them from pest damage, then yes, it's most effective to leave the tinfoil in place until the fruit is harvested. Doing so will ensure birds, squirrels, and other wildlife don't get to your figs before they are ripe and ready for eating.
This trick works for a range of other soft fruits, too. For example, you can use tinfoil to protect pear trees and plum trees.
Once your figs have been safely harvested, don't forget to also winterize your fig tree to keep it healthy over the colder months and ready to start again next year.
Shop fig growing accessories
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