Summer Growth

Jul 2

Written By Jacquelyn Benjamin

Welcome to summer!

The summer heat is here!

Is it there, too?

As I write, I’m outside enjoying this swampy, sweltering southern air.

I’m in between client sessions and it feels like 107 degrees… and rising.

I’m pretending it’s cooler than it is, and I’m loving this little snack plate - including figs from my yarden.

My fig tree is having a stellar summer crop!

She is loaded with fruit, and I’d love to share why I think she’s doing so well this year.

Her story may help you with your own abundance.

STUNTED

About five years ago, I purchased this adorable fig tree in a small pot and kept her in the same container for about three years. I brought her inside during the harsh winters and kept her soil fertile and watered. She stayed green and looked healthy, but showed no signs of fruiting.

I was reluctant to put her into the ground because I really did not want her to be permanent to this location. If I moved, I wanted to easily take her with me, but she wasn’t growing much.

She was fine, but not thriving.

Two years ago, I gave in and reluctantly planted her in a very special spot in my backyard.

As I removed her from her container, it was quite clear that her roots had become thick, and there was no room for her to grow - at all.

She was root bound.

I ruffled and broke loose the tight ball of roots so she would have room to expand and placed her into the ground with fresh soil and water.

Within the first week, I noticed a difference in her size and reach.

Within the first year, she grew from a stumpy, stunted little plant into a full grown tree.

She matured.

This year, her second year in ground, she is flourishing and abundant with fruit.

This “summer crop” or “early crop” has been such a treat!

She would have never been so fruitful if she had stayed in the container.

Her roots were too bound and were blocking her ability to produce her fruits.