Fig Tree Fandom

When multiple visitors to McConnell Farms asked the farm’s owners Danny and Kathryn McConnell if they carried figs — a native to the Mediterranean region and southern and western regions of Asia — the couple decided to try the fruit tree. That was in 2010, and now 68 varieties of fig trees grow on two acres of the McConnell’s 100-acre farm in Hendersonville.

Kathryn and Danny McConnell grow 68 varieties of fig trees on two acres of their 100-acre farm in Hendersonville. Photo by Tim Robison

“So many people like figs, but they don’t know how to care for them,” Danny says. “A lot of people’s grandparents owned fig trees, and now they want to have one.”

Four years ago, the McConnells started Fig Fest, a two-day farm event featuring all things figs. Last year, 4,000 people participated in Fig Fest. Fig tours and talks with Danny are highlights of the festival.

Danny calls himself a fig collector. This passion, combined with his experience growing up on his family’s farm and his NC State horticulture degree with a specialization in fruits and vegetables, make him the perfect teacher. During lectures he talks about choosing the right fig and caring for the figs. Lectures include a tour of the figs growing on the farm, and questions are encouraged.

Fig-flavored ice cream (like Figgy D, walnut fig and strawberry fig) is another draw at Fig Fest. Hendersonville residents Bob and Rita Bost come to the festival for the fig mascarpone ice cream and fresh figs. As a young girl, Rita remembers her mom making preserves and hand pies from the figs she harvested from the tree in the family’s backyard.

“I just love all things fig,” Rita says. “[The festival] reminds me of the things my mom made growing up.”

For the past 25 years, McConnell Farms has made small-batch ice cream, focusing on seasonal flavors and rotating them throughout the year. It’s not unusual to see cream-style corn and ginger lavender on the list with traditional chocolate and vanilla flavors. With the success of the ice cream, Danny suggested to the Hendersonville tourism staff to promote the region’s ice cream business. In 2023, Visit Hendersonville launched the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail, which showcases McConnell Farms and 12 other ice cream options in the area.

During the two days of the festival, local vendors set up tables to sell crafts, jewelry, pottery and other handmade items. The farm store is open with apple ciders and jars of apple butter and jelly, fig jam, pumpkin butter and strawberry butter — all made from products grown on the farm.

And, of course, many varieties of fig trees are sold. If figs, homemade ice cream and crafts aren’t enough, the backdrop to the event is a field of sunflowers in full bloom.

Figs 101

Danny McConnell of McConnell Farms offers four tips for successfully growing your own figs.

• Select a fig variety. Match where you live to the type of fig tree you purchase. The Chicago Hardy Fig does well in almost any climate. Danny recommends the Sao Miguel Roxo fig for people who live in Western North Carolina because it’s proven to thrive in that climate.
• Choose a place to plant your fig tree. Fig trees need a 10-by-10-foot space in the sun. Without pruning, some varieties can grow 8- to 10-feet tall. Milder climates have more flexibility with placement. For regions of North Carolina with ice, snow and wind, a south-facing slope near a house or other building offers the protection a fig tree needs during the coldest months.
• Care for your fig year-round. Fig trees need some moisture, Danny says. During that first year, make sure the tree is watered, but not overwatered. “They don’t like to be really wet,” he says. “They need some moisture to get established but after that, they don’t need a whole lot.”
• Harvest figs with a plan. Fresh figs don’t last long once they’re picked off the tree. Most eat them fresh. Danny suggests fig fritters and pastries. “They do not keep that well,” Danny says. “Make sure you know what you want to do with them.”