The Full Story
The Fig Orchard
Our love of animals and homesteading is matched by a passion for cultivating the land. Among the raised gardens, and daily rhythm of life here, one of our most cherished projects is our fig orchard. Carefully planted and nurtured, our orchard is home to an assortment of fig varieties that are as diverse as they are delicious. Each tree carries its own history, flavor, and seasonality — making our orchard not just a source of fruit, but a living collection of heritage and innovation.
Why We Chose Figs
Figs are among the world’s oldest cultivated fruits, with references dating back to ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean. They’re rich in fiber, minerals, and antioxidants, and for centuries have symbolized abundance and prosperity. But beyond their cultural significance, figs thrive in our North Carolina climate, rewarding us each year with lush foliage, beautiful fruit, and harvests that only get sweeter as the trees mature.
We chose figs because they perfectly reflect the homestead values we believe in: resilience, nourishment, and beauty. They’re a fruit that connects the past to the present — simple, wholesome, and incredibly rewarding to grow.
Our Varietals
Our orchard is designed to be both diverse and productive, offering different harvest windows and flavor profiles. Here are the varieties we currently grow:
White Marseilles – A French heirloom with light green skin and honey-sweet flesh. Thomas Jefferson famously grew this variety at Monticello, and it remains a favorite for its delicate, refreshing flavor.
Green Ischau – Known for its bright green skin and vibrant strawberry-colored flesh, this fig is rich and jammy, perfect for fresh eating or turning into preserves.
LSU Purple – Bred by Louisiana State University for disease resistance and productivity, this variety produces abundant purple fruit throughout the season, often in multiple flushes.
Black Italian – A dark-skinned variety with bold, sweet notes. Its rich flavor makes it excellent for both fresh eating and drying.
Peter’s Honey – A golden-skinned fig with a honeyed sweetness that lives up to its name. Delicious right off the tree, it’s a favorite for those who love an especially sugary bite.
LSU Scott’s Black – Another product of LSU’s breeding program, this variety offers dark, almost black fruit with complex flavor. It’s hardy, productive, and a gem for fig lovers.
LSU Thibodaux – A rarer LSU variety prized for its productivity and deep flavor. Its dark skin and sweet interior make it a standout in our orchard and a conversation piece for fellow growers.
Cultivation & Care
Each fig tree is planted with care and managed with organic principles in mind. We mulch to retain moisture and enrich the soil, prune to encourage airflow and shape, and monitor for pests and disease without the use of harsh chemicals.
Because figs are naturally suited to our climate, they require little intervention beyond seasonal pruning and protection in their earliest years. Over time, they reward this care with consistent yields and resilient growth. Watching them mature each season — from tiny green orbs to plump, ripe fruit — is one of the simple pleasures of orchard keeping.
From Orchard to Table
Fresh figs are a delicacy, and their short shelf life means the best way to enjoy them is straight from the tree. At The Klepper Homestead, harvest season means baskets of figs on the porch, taste-testing in the orchard, and plenty of experiments in the kitchen.
We use our figs in countless ways: fresh eating straight from the branch, preserves and jams that capture summer sweetness, baking in cakes and breads, savory pairings with cheese or meats, and drying to extend the season.
A Living Legacy
Our fig orchard is more than a collection of trees — it’s a legacy in the making. Each variety connects us to a different history: from the experimental breeding programs of LSU to centuries-old heirlooms grown by farmers and homesteaders long before us.
For us, the orchard represents patience and stewardship. Trees planted today won’t just feed us — they’ll feed our family, neighbors, and perhaps generations to come. Sharing cuttings, teaching others about fig cultivation, and inspiring more families to plant orchards of their own is part of our vision for The Klepper Homestead.
Looking Ahead
As our orchard matures, we look forward to expanding it with additional varieties and perhaps even offering cuttings or fruit in small quantities. For now, it stands as one of our most treasured projects — a blend of history, sustainability, and simple joy that enriches our homestead and our lives. If you are interested in cuttings, please reach out to us directly!
The orchard is more than food. It’s a reminder of the beauty of growing something with care and the sweetness of enjoying the harvest together.