Preserving figs

We have so many figs this year. I have canned figs, made fig jam, preserves, conserve, and strawberry fig jam. I am going to do some raspberry fig jam. Maybe you have something else I can try, at least something new to me.

Joyce Pierce
Greenville, Alabama

You could slice and dehydrate them for later use in baked goods or try this pickled fig recipe I found in one of my favorite old pickle books:

Louisiana Pickled Figs:

5 quarts figs
1 quart water
3 pints sugar
1 pint vinegar

Spice bag:
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. cloves
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. mace

Select firm, ripe figs and scald with a soda solution made up of 1 cup baking soda to 6 quarts boiling water. Drain and rinse. Cook figs until tender in 1 quart water and 1 pint sugar. When figs are tender, add remaining 2 pints sugar, vinegar, spice bag and cook until figs are clear and transparent. If syrup is not thick remove figs and continue boiling until it is almost as thick as a preserve syrup. Allow figs to stand in this syrup overnight. On the following morning, pack fruit into jars, cover with syrup that has been heated to boiling, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Process in a water bath for 15 minutes. Be sure to remember to consult your canning book if you live at 1,000 feet or above to find directions on increasing your processing time to suit your altitude if necessary. I hope you enjoy this old recipe! — Jackie

Blossom end rot

I am having a huge problem with blossom end rot on my tomatoes (but not on my squash). When I planted them I put crushed egg shells in the hole, and when I started seeing the problem I limed some plants and Epsom salted others to see which worked better. Well, its been over a month and neither has worked and I’m losing a lot of tomatoes. I have been watering pretty regular, though I know they are not getting as much as they would like. Were in a drought right now and I don’t want to drain the pond down too much. All of the info that I have found regarding blossom end rot has suggested doing what I have already done. What do you think that I should do for my problem this season and seasons to come?

Staci Hill
Murfreesboro, Akansas

Squash can handle less water better than tomatoes do. I’d concentrate on getting more water directly to the tomato roots, then use a deep mulch, such as weed-free straw, to hold that precious moisture there as long as possible. With the calcium you’ve already added I don’t think that’s the trouble, rather that the plants are water-stressed and are not using the calcium like they should. This drought is hurting a lot of folks nationwide. We’ll all pray for relief. — Jackie

3 COMMENTS

  1. we had blossom end rot bad I read that if you go through you tomatoe patch and just gently rub the blosson of the started tomato and helps pervent rut so we tryed it and has helped we have tryed all the other things mentioned and this seems to work best

  2. Blossom end rot: As serious as your problem is, you may want to look locally for a blossom end rot spray ( spray on calcium solution). You have to use it 2-4 times a week. Look in garden shops, hardware stores, Lowe’s and Home Depot. There are several brands, all useful. But as Jackie said, the most important thing is a steady supply of moisture. If you have any straw or weed-free hay, apply it at least a foot deep around your tomatoes after you soak the roots. If necessary, prune the bottom branches of your plants so the lowest branch is above the hay/straw. And as Amy said, water at the roots where the plants need it, not overhead. I’ve read about the Tums, Epsom salts, eggshell treatments but have not personally seen any of them work although with sufficient water and a suitable pH to dissolve them in the soil solution you would expect them to. You may also need to prune the tops of your plants to force the lower tomatoes to grow and ripen – your plants may be overloaded with fruits for the growing conditions you have. And remember that a stressed plant is more subject to insect invasions. Deep mulch and root watering should get you a good crop. This drought is amazing – hang in there and know that you are in our prayers.

  3. I am wondering how you are watering your tomatoes. You would want to make sure that you are trying to not “overhead” water, and rather do as Jackie suggested and water at the roots to make sure that they are getting as much as possible directed toward that area. Otherwise it sounds like the lime and etc should have done the trick providing enough calcium. Sending lots of prayers your way.

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