[Kiki]

We moved house last year and in our new garden was a small fig tree. 'Uggh!' I said 'I wish it was a plum, I hate figs.' Some ripened in June but they were tasteless and confirmed my view. Then last week I looked up and saw about 30 big, very ripe figs and lots more developing. Hating waste I picked them and reluctantly tried one. It was delicious!
My first ever ripe fig  I'm converted. I took them to work and made lots of my turkish and spanish friends very happy. Did the ripen so well because of our weird weather this year or is this normal?

[mumofstig]

They usually do ripen quite well, if they're in a nice warm olace. Near a south or west wall is good

[arugula]

I was just going to say, so I will, you are in the very South and if your garden is sunny and sheltered, there's no reason why they shouldn't ripen like that every year. Lucky you!

[8doubles]

Will let you know when i get a ripe one , i did remember to thin the fruit so they are a good size but still very green !

[oldcow]

They will usually ripen well in the south; just wait until they're soft before picking them. Some years I had to wait until September...

[Trillium]

Lots of compost every spring will help enhance the fig flavour. Don't pick them unless you can very gently twist them off and they fall into your hand. If they don't, they're not ready. Never force them off.

[realfood]

My outside fig in Glasgow, against a wall in a sunny spot, produces ripe figs every year, so you do not need to be in the South to enjoy ripe figs.

[lazza]

My outside fig in Glasgow, against a wall in a sunny spot, produces ripe figs every year, so you do not need to be in the South to enjoy ripe figs.

That's encouraging

Our fig is struggling a bit this year (I posted on this a while back) but I'm optimistic I can get it going again with the earlier advice... and to be able to pick ripe figs off it one day is the ultimate encouragement. I just LOVE figs (and always want to cry when I see hundreds of them rotting on the ground in gardens in France and Spain!)

[operabunny]

They love it in Bristol 

They even grow wild in the harbour, sprouting out of the walls at water level!