After planting a mikan tree, a kiwi tree, a persimmon tree, a lemon tree and a chestnut tree, I decided to plant a fig tree as well.

Why not?

When I first moved to Japan and started working on the garden, I had no idea what to do with it.

I imagined neatly trimmed shrubs in a karikomi style. I liked the aesthetics of Japanese gardens, and shaping shrubs seemed attainable with my non-existent gardening skills.

But that was about as far as my gardening ambitions went.

Growing vegetables and fruit never really crossed my mind.

That changed as I spent more time exploring the countryside around Gifu.

Everywhere I went, I noticed people growing something. Small vegetable patches next to houses. Persimmon trees in gardens. Citrus trees, chestnut trees, and all kinds of seasonal produce.

It seemed completely normal here.

Over time, both my wife and I became interested in the idea of growing some of our own food as well.

Not because we wanted to become farmers.

It simply seemed like something we could do.

So we started small.

One tree.

Then another.

And another.

Today I added a fig tree to the collection.

Looking at it now, it is hard to imagine that this little tree might one day produce more figs than we know what to do with.

But I suppose that is part of gardening.

You plant something long before you receive anything in return.

You water it.

Watch it.

Wait.

Then one day it becomes part of the garden.

When I lived in the Netherlands, food was something I bought in a supermarket.

I rarely thought about where it came from or how long it took to grow.

Planting fruit trees has changed that a little.

Not because I expect to become self-sufficient.

But because it is hard not to appreciate food differently when you spend years waiting for it to grow.

For now, the fig tree is just another small tree in the garden.

We’ll see what becomes of it. 🌱