July in Louisiana marks many celebrations, one of which is fig harvest season. Figs (Ficus carica), native to the Middle East and western Asia, have become naturalized in North America and are widely planted in Louisiana home gardens due to their ease of cultivation and nutritional value. With minimal effort, some yard space and plenty of sunshine, anyone can grow trees that produce figs every July. Figs are among the earliest cultivated fruit trees, known for their medicinal properties and nutritional content, which includes potassium, iron and fiber. They are a key ingredient in Fig Newtons and fig preserves. The trees are deciduous, typically growing 10 to 30 feet tall, with branches spreading wider than their height. They thrive in hot, dry climates with ample sunlight.
