The Elusive Fig

Brown Turkey fig on our small tree

Miss Retha Jones owns the largest fig tree Susan and I have ever seen. I'm kicking myself for not taking a photo of the tree and the elderly, most delightful owner. The tree, a Celeste fig variety, covers the complete southern side of her brick home in rural Hall County, Georgia. The limbs stretch out so far that over the years she has used three retired wringer washing tubs to hold them off the ground. When Miss Retha and her late husband built the house years ago her father told her to plant a fig tree on the south side. She did and I'm sure the product of this tree has enhanced the palates of hundreds, including us.

Miss Retha's figs

The tree in our own yard is a transplant that Susan's mother, Claud, planted at her townhome in Athens, Georgia. It is a Brown Turkey fig tree and we were surprised that it produced a few small, tasty figs this year. We gobbled these up almost as soon as they were picked.


Perhaps it was the thought of one day having enough figs of our own to turn into preserves that sent Susan on a quest to find a good bucket or two to put up. This proved to be no easy task since the hot, dry summer meant an early season for the fig crop, and we started a bit too late. Finally, after checking the Georgia Farmer's Market Bulletin and the PickYourOwn.org website we were led to Miss Retha's place where we picked three gallons of figs. Miss Retha, with cane in hand, even wobbled around to the side of her house and helped us pick.

Which recipe to use?

Over the next few days Susan brewed up three batches using different recipes.

Just about ready

  

Out of the bath

We should now be set with preserves for the next couple of years or at least until our own little tree grows up a little bit.






But please, dear little Brown Turkey Fig Tree in our front yard, don't get as big a Miss Retha's tree!