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Figs VS Dates: Which is Better?

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Whether you’re shooting for a healthier diet or a great looking garden, you cannot go wrong with planting fruits. And among all fruits, two of the most nutrient-rich are figs and dates.

Weight for weight dried figs is healthier than any type of bread. Figs contain an incredible amount of fiber. Fiber helps facilitate easy bowel movement. It also aids in weight loss. Figs are also rich in calcium, iron, and zinc.

Dates are just as nutritious. It’s an excellent source of vitamin A, folate, and other fat-soluble vitamins. This fruit is also one of the few foods rich in vitamin K. Vitamin K assists in blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding. It also assists in building stronger bones and muscles.

Dates and Fig trees look very similar. And either one will make a great centerpiece for any garden. If you’re planning to plant your own fig or date tree, consider these tips:

Growing and Caring for a Date Tree

Date palms thrive in tropical and sub-tropical climates. It requires a temperature of above 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 C.) to survive. The tree itself grows up to 120 feet. It could live for 100 years! Because of its size, date trees are best for spacious gardens.

To plant a date tree, you will need a male and a female tree. This is critical for fruit production. Choose a spot where there’s a lot of sunshine. Once the trees are planted, you need to establish better irrigation and proper nutrient management to prevent diseases. Because date trees thrive in drier environments, you don’t need to water the tree often. Just watch out for diseases or pests, and you’re good to go.

Growing and Caring for a Fig Tree

Fig is one of the lowest maintenance trees to grow. While any fertile soil will do, it grows best on loam soil enriched with organic matter. Although growing a fig tree is easy, it’s not tolerant of the cold and direct sunlight. But, if the temperature drops below 10°F in your area, it’ll be hard to grow a fig tree.

Plant the tree in early fall or spring. This keeps the tree dormant before the time it should bloom. Find a spot that gets a lot of sunshine, but protected from winter winds. Mulch trees well with compost. You need to apply foliar sprays of seaweed extracts every month. This keeps pests at bay.

Just like dates, fig trees grow quite large. They grow about 15 to 20 feet. But you can train it to be bushes instead. Just give the tree a lot of room to grow. Also, fertilize your fig tree every year. As the fig tree grows, trim it regularly. This helps control its size. Just make sure you don’t go overboard. You might injure the plant.

Fig VS Dates: Which is Better?

The answer is a matter of preference and your local climate. If you love dates and you want gorgeous palm trees in your garden, then the choice is clear. On the other hand, if you love figs and you want trees that are easier to take care of, then choose the figs. Either way, figs, and dates are both good-looking trees!


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