They are ripe when they begin to soften. The color comes later. Remember that figs are very sensitive to dry soil conditions. Keep the soil evenly moist is important to having and keeping a good crop.

thanks for answering I thought I was the only one with a fig tree on this site.
ssooo I can pick them before they are purple?
not to worry about the dry soil....the tree is located behind one of my raised beds that I routinely turn the hose on and promptly forget about until the kids next door come running over to tell me that their yard is flooding ,,,and thanx for watering their grapefruit tree...
CB

I wish someone would run over and tell *me* when I've left the water running. Scheesch! You'd think I never heard of timers......anyway.....I pick my figs as soon as they begin to soften. I don't know if my tree is a Mission fig or some other. Is there an other? They are usually light light green. If I wait at all the birds start pecking them.

Since I don't particularly care for figs, it doesn't matter about the purple color. I give them away. I just like the shape of the tree.

marymcp... I went out a few weeks ago and bought a timer that goes directly on the end of the hose.
I love it... my neighbor...not so much!!!! HaHa

Yep, that's the way to go. I have two - one front, one back. If I'm watering something that is not part of the 'timer system', I use a kitchen timer that rings loudly. If I manage to miss that ringer, or forget to set it, I'm toast!....or flooded more likely.