Fig Ripening Time

It seems to me the time between a ripe fig and a rotten fig is very narrow, unlike apples that can be stored for winter use. From what I understand from The Garden Web, so many variables go into ripening that there can be no official timeline. So, it comes down to appearance and fragrance and touch. Wait too long and the figs go soft, get too sweet and birds are all over them.

I watch for a color change from green to burnished purply-brown, what some people call 'bronze'. The fruit is still firm, but with a little give when touched (unlike a green fig that feels hard to the touch).

Even then, once picked the figs seem to have a short shelf life!  Eat fresh within a couple days, or dehydrate, because they will not last long. According to EatByDate fresh figs will last on the counter for 2-5 days, in the fridge for 5-7 days, and frozen in the freezer for 6-8 months.

BUT, the longer you wait to eat them, the softer they get and the sweeter they get....a game of wait and watch and see who gives in first. Either I give in and eat them before they go bad, or the figs give in and go bad before I eat them.

rachaelray.com
Birds got this fig. Sad, it was too late.