Figs!

“…and they sewed fig leaves together,
and made themselves aprons.”
—Genesis

The Bible tells us that the foliage used to fashion the First Aprons was plucked from the Fig, a curious choice. The large, deciduous leaves of the edible fig, Ficus carica, have a very coarse texture. Fig leaf fabric would have been about as comfortable as sandpaper in summer, and it would decompose and then disappear altogether in winter. But Adam & Eve had no horticulturists or haute couturiers to consult, so they did the best they could. (No doubt if Eve had been able to chat with Yves St. Laurent, the first fabric would have been fashioned from the velvety leaves of Sparmannia africana or the California native Thimbleberry, instead of scratchy fig leaves.) We trust the first couple eventually discovered that the Fig tree is a great source of delectable, nutritious fruit.

Please consider Berkeley Hort as your source for Fig trees (and other fruit) this winter. We're offering several Fig varieties. Dark-skinned fruit cultivars are: 'Black Jack', 'Black Mission', and 'Brown Turkey.' Light-skinned cultivars are 'Conadria', 'Excel', 'Desert King', and 'White Genoa'.

For details about the trees, please see our information cards, check with sales staff, or refer to the excellent website of the California Rare Fruit Growers, www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/fig.html.

Figs in 9-inch tall sleeves: $26.95 each

—Margaret