Does anyone grow figs?

Hi

Does anyone grow figs?

I'm looking for any pearls of wisdom on how to look after them and get a good crop - at the minute I have Fig Violetta, Brown turkey and Panachee (more for looks than anything  )

I also found it really difficult to tell when they were ripe last year as some were showing all signs (well I thought) but then were still green inside, then other times only showed a few signs by the time I picked them they were overripe?

thank you