How to Grow Bourjassotte Grise Fig
Bourjassotte Grise Fig
Ficus carica 'Bourjassotte Grise'
fruitBourjassotte Grise is a premium French fig variety prized for its small to medium, grayish-brown fruits with exceptionally sweet, honey-like flavor and delicate texture. This fig is a dual-crop producer, bearing main crop figs in late summer and breba crop figs in early summer. It's considered one of the finest fresh eating figs and is particularly valued for dried fig production.
When should you plant Bourjassotte Grise Fig in your zone?
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Example Bourjassotte Grise Fig timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Bourjassotte Grise Fig
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Bourjassotte Grise Fig
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Bourjassotte Grise Fig dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 6-9; hardy to zone 5b with winter protection
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Get my Bourjassotte Grise Fig timeline →Growth Stages
Dormancy
November-MarchTree is leafless and appears dead; visible fig buds along branches
Prune for shape in late winter before bud break. Provide winter protection in zone 5 with mulch or burlap wrapping. No watering needed.
Bud Break & Leaf Growth
April-MayNew leaves emerge from buds; breba crop figs form at branch tips where last year's leaves fell
Begin regular watering as growth accelerates. Monitor for early pests. Thin excessive growth if needed.
Breba Crop Fruiting
May-JuneFirst crop of figs develop from overwintered buds at leaf bases; fruit swells to full size
Maintain consistent moisture during fruit development. Support heavy fruit clusters if needed. These figs ripen faster than main crop.
Main Crop Development
July-SeptemberNew figs form throughout summer along new growth; tree produces abundant foliage and fruit
Water deeply during hot periods. Reduce watering slightly in late summer to increase sugar concentration. Watch for ripeness indicators (color change, slight softness).
Harvest & Dormancy Preparation
August-OctoberMain crop figs reach peak ripeness with grayish-brown color and honey aroma; tree begins preparing for winter dormancy
Harvest ripe figs daily; avoid picking unripe fruit as figs don't ripen after picking. Stop fertilizing. Reduce watering gradually to harden off growth before frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove fallen fruit and dead wood promptly; maintain tree vigor; use sticky traps if populations are high
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil or miticide if infestation is severe
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Prune affected branches; apply dormant oil in late winter; use insecticidal soap during growing season
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Harvest and dry figs promptly; store in airtight containers; maintain sanitation in drying area
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Remove and destroy infested fruit; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering
Uses
Fresh Eating & Premium Dried Figs
CulinaryBourjassotte Grise is prized for fresh consumption with its exceptionally sweet, honey-like flavor and delicate texture that melts on the palate. It is also considered one of the finest varieties for drying, producing superior dried figs with concentrated sweetness. [source]
Jam & Preserve Production
CulinaryThe concentrated sugars and delicate flavor make this variety ideal for fig jam, compotes, and preserves that require minimal added sugar. [source]
Digestive & Laxative Benefits
MedicinalFigs contain compounds that support digestive health and have traditional use as a mild natural laxative due to their fiber content and enzymatic compounds. [source]
Natural Food Preservation
HouseholdHigh sugar content allows for natural preservation through drying without additives, creating shelf-stable dried fruit for storage and trade. [source]
Pollinator & Bird Attraction
WildlifeFig flowers are accessed by specialized wasps and the fruit attracts numerous bird species, making the tree valuable for supporting garden biodiversity. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Breba crop figs ripen June-July; main crop ripens August-September. Pick when fruit feels slightly soft to gentle pressure and develops full grayish-brown color with honey aroma. Harvest in early morning when cooler. Use shears to avoid damaging the branch. Ripe figs don't ship well—eat fresh or dry immediately. For drying, pick fully ripe fruit and lay on screens in warm, dry conditions until leather-like (3-4 weeks).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Bourjassotte Grise figs have an inverted flower structure (inside-out flower) that makes them completely self-pollinating—the small fig wasp (Blastophaga psenes) enters through the ostiole (opening) to pollinate the flowers while laying eggs.
- 🌱 This variety originates from southern France (Bourjassol region) and has been cultivated for centuries, making it a historic heritage fruit with international acclaim among chefs and fig enthusiasts.
- 🌱 Fig trees can live for 100+ years and produce fruit for their entire lifespan; some ancient Mediterranean fig trees are documented to be over 300 years old and still bearing premium fruit.
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