Smith... again...

[Figgin' A]

Hard not to love this one. Reminded me of pure strawberry jam, just a bit lighter (less sweet) and brighter, in a very good way. Refreshing strawberry jam, that's how I'd describe it.

I was finally able to get another couple of perfectly ripe Smith figs after a long while before coons or my dog got to them first. This one is a pest magnet for sure, and for a good reason.

I know some growers say Smith is bland, nothing special, and so forth, but mine, in its second season, has been stellar this year. This one does need to be ripened well, until it feels like a sack of jelly, to blow your socks off.

 

[superdave336]

That looks soooooo good!!!

 

[ktrain]

I could look at Smith pics all day, lol
Have 3 trees still.
Awesome specimen!

 

[Tom from England]

Hard not to love this one. Reminded me of pure strawberry jam, just a bit lighter (less sweet) and brighter, in a very good way. Refreshing strawberry jam, that's how I'd describe it.

I was finally able to get another couple of perfectly ripe Smith figs after a long while before coons or my dog got to them first. This one is a pest magnet for sure, and for a good reason.

I know some growers say Smith is bland, nothing special, and so forth, but mine, in its second season, has been stellar this year. This one does need to be ripened well, until it feels like a sack of jelly, to blow your socks off.

That’s a beaut, I find you can really let them ripen almost shrivel up due to the high sugar content and they can taste better still.

 

[JMF75]

Smith checks all the boxes. Worth having multiple copies.

 

[Figgin' A]

That’s a beaut, I find you can really let them ripen almost shrivel up due to the high sugar content and they can taste better still.

I agree. It's a light berry fig, so concentrating those sugars by drying really does magic to its taste. My problem is pests that won't let that happen

 

[TorontoJoe]

I've never had a bland Smith... It's one of the few varieties that I keep multiple full sized trees. Currently only Vince 3 and Smith have that distinction.

If I can keep the raccoons away I'm good. It's ants and wasps for the most part. The sugar really draws them in. As long as I have ant baits out I'm good there. The wasps sometimes chew through the organza bags... but mostly it keeps them off

 

[Figgin' A]

I've never had a bland Smith... It's one of the few varieties that I keep multiple full sized trees. Currently only Vince 3 and Smith have that distinction.

If I can keep the raccoons away I'm good. It's ants and wasps for the most part. The sugar really draws them in. As long as I have ant baits out I'm good there. The wasps sometimes chew through the organza bags... but mostly it keeps them off

Same here, for the most part. I've had a few that tasted bland, but that may have been caused either by heavy rains or by me picking them too early for whatever reason. Other than that, they've always been good to really great when ripened properly, and that doesn't take a lot of effort. Just let them hang a couple of days more, that's all.

You nailed it with the ants' bait and the organza bags. That's what I do too. No other way around it. My biggest problem lately has been one of my dogs, who runs to this tree as soon as I let him outside. Such a nuisance he has become. He is not afraid to quickly snatch a fig or two when he smells ripe ones. He stole quite a few lately. We have to either watch him closely, which sometimes works, sometimes doesn't, or keep him on a leash. Still has a puppy brain, so I hope the situation gets better over time.

 

[TorontoJoe]

Same here, for the most part. I've had a few that tasted bland, but that may have been caused either by heavy rains or by me picking them too early for whatever reason. Other than that, they've always been good to really great when ripened properly, and that doesn't take a lot of effort. Just let them hang a couple of days more, that's all.

You nailed it with the ants' bait and the organza bags. That's what I do too. No other way around it. My biggest problem lately has been one of my dogs, who runs to this tree as soon as I let him outside. Such a nuisance he has become. He is not afraid to quickly snatch a fig or two when he smells ripe ones. He stole quite a few lately. We have to either watch him closely, which sometimes works, sometimes doesn't, or keep him on a leash. Still has a puppy brain, so I hope the situation gets better over time.

Dogs get a few for sure... ... And I don't even mind critters taking some here and there. It's all good. It's the raccoons destroying entire harvests and ripping off all the branches in the process messing up the trees for the following year... That ticks me off huge!