Here's how to tell when figs are ripe so you can time your harvest perfectly. Ed Gohlich Unlike other types of fruit, figs don’t ripen well off the plant. So when are figs ripe and how can you tell when to pick the fruit? There are several clues to look for so that you don't end up with either a hard, bland harvest or overly ripe, mushy fruit. Whether you grow figs in pots or outside in the...