ARCHIVED - If you notice a strange smell in the garden...........

Figs are a wonderful dry garden plant, but can be quite dangerous                                                                

If there’ s a peculiar smell in the garden this week, don’t blame next doors’ cat, it’s far more likely to be the fig tree growing in the corner.

The new spring growth is absolutely laden with all the toxic compounds that cause skin irritation and allergic rashes, ( triterpenoids and terucoumarin compounds for the scientifically minded, ) and they’re bursting forth with great enthusiasm  at the moment, giving off a strong, pungent odour.

Apparently the French love this smell of spring so much that they make a concentrated compound from the plant material known as fig leaf absolute, which is used in the creation of woodland scented perfumes, but if it’s not your cup of tea, be careful where you plant that fig tree.

Its also important to take great care when cutting figs at any time of year, as the sap can burn the skin, and I know of more than one ex-pat being hospitalised by a severe reaction after pruning a rampant fig tree.

Never burn the wood or prunings either, the spanish always leave them on one side or throw them into a barranca to crumble with time, as even the smoke is toxic.

Figs arent the only danger to the unwary gardener; oleanders, castor oil plants and lantanas can cause similar allergic reactions, and both seeds and leaves can cause problems for both animals and ourselves alike.

Fortunately, the sheep seem to instinctively understand this, because these are always the last plants standing after a  raid on the garden, and even the chickens dig up everything else before they condescend to dust bathe anywhere near these particular plants, so at least there are isolated areas of green left around the finca.

So dont worry about the smell, and enjoy the figs left in the freezer before the new crop start to form and the smell dies down a bit. Frozen figs are still great for chutney making, just defrost and get rid of some of the juice before adding other veg or fruit or mix with dried dates and  ginger , topped off with a crunchy walnuts and oats topping for a zingy spring crumble.

And dont worry that there wont be plenty to replace them this year, the wet , mild spring means theres plenty of water in the ground, so were clearing freezer space now in anticipation of a bumper year!