How to plant and care for Fig (Brown Turkey)

Ficus carica

🌳 Tree 🍓 Fruit 🔁 Perennial

Hardy fig, suitable for fan-training against a sunny wall or growing in a large pot. Produces sweet, purplish-brown fruit.

At a glance: harvest in September.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Harvest

Prune

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Light: Full sun · 6+ hours a day
Watering: Regularly during dry spells, especially when fruiting
Soil: Well-draining, fertile loam · pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing: 3-5m apart (or 2-3m for fan-trained)
In pots: Grows well in containers
Feeding: Feed in spring with balanced fertilizer, then high potassium when fruiting.
Harvest: About 90 days from sowing
Hardiness: USDA zones 6–10
Difficulty: Easy

On planting day
Plant Fig Tree
Plant your young fig tree in a sunny, sheltered spot or large pot. Ensure good drainage.
Straight after “Plant Fig Tree”
Water In Thoroughly
Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
7 days after “Water In Thoroughly”
Apply Mulch
Apply a 5-10cm layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it away from the trunk.
14 days after “Apply Mulch”
First Feeding
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer to encourage establishment.
30 days after “First Feeding”
Check Establishment
Monitor the tree for signs of new growth and overall health during its first few weeks.

February
Dormant Pruning
Prune in late winter/early spring to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Shape for desired form (e.g., fan-training).
March
Spring Feeding
Apply a balanced granular fertilizer around the base of the tree.
April
Top Up Mulch
Refresh the layer of organic mulch around the tree.
May
Spring Pest/Disease Check
Inspect for early signs of pests or diseases as new growth emerges.
June
Summer Pruning (Pinching)
Pinch back new growth to encourage fruit production and manage size.
July
Monitor Summer Watering
Water deeply and regularly during dry spells, especially when fruit is developing.
July
Summer Pest/Disease Check
Continue to monitor for pests and diseases during the growing season.
August
Monitor Fruit Ripening
Begin checking for ripe figs as they swell and change color.
September
Harvest Figs
Pick ripe figs regularly as they mature.
November
Winter Protection
In colder zones, provide winter protection for the fig tree.