A Second Crop of Figs – But It Seems We Have to Share

Published on: 11 Oct, 2026
Updated on: 11 Oct, 2026

Ripening brown turkey figs in October!

By Martin Giles

Climate change remains an unproven or unworrying concept for some. Donald Trump said: “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make US manufacturing non-competitive.”

But gardeners might be noticing some real, tangible evidence.

Plants and flowers are waking up and blooming weeks earlier than they used to and trees like the oak are bursting their buds significantly earlier.

Fishing for figs with our fruit picker

Here in St Catherine’s, our fig tree has produced a second crop for the second year running, having never done so before in the 30 years since it was planted, as has been usual in the UK.

We are, of course, delighted to have the extra bounty but so are our local squirrels. They don’t seem to have been bothered by the first crop perhaps there were preferred food sources available then?

And while hunting for our second flush figs with a new, lengthy fruit picker we are entertained by that all-year-round songster the Robin.

There is one that perches sometimes within and sometimes atop our neighbours 30 foot plum tree singing its heart out to protect its territory. And it not only his singing that is confident.

When digging in the garden he can come within a few feet ready to pounce on any emerging worms and I have often had to shoo them off our back door step when they seem on the verge of letting themselves in.

This morning one took an alternative route and came in through the window before being gently shown the door.

Finally, is it just me or are there more herons around these days? My last sighting was by the boat house at Winkworth but such sights are no longer rare. My wife and I regularly see one at Loseley Garden.

Grey heron by the moat on Loseley Garden.

According to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), they are, indeed, more common now: “…the overall historical trend spans nearly a century and shows growth due to reduced persecution, better water quality, and more flooded gravel pits providing feeding and nesting sites”.

Have you noticed a sign of climate change in your garden or perhaps a noteworthy observation of natural flora or fauna? If so, please do leave a comment.