Fabulous Figs

There's nothing quite like the fresh taste of figs. Grow your own and savour the sweetness straight from your garden!

Imagine harvesting sweet, sun-ripened figs from your very own tree. Originating from the Mediterranean’s hot, dry summers and cool winters, fig trees thrive in many Australian climates, making them the perfect addition to your garden. These stunning specimens can grow up to six metres tall with a beautiful, spreading canopy, but they’re easily pruned to suit any garden size you want.

How to grow figs

LOCATION: Figs are adaptable and can be grown in most parts of Australia. They prefer a climate with low humidity, sunny summers, and winter rain. Established trees tolerate freezing winters and blistering drought, though the fruit may drop. On the coast, heavy summer rain can cause the fruit to split. If rain is forecast at harvest time, protect ripening fruit with an umbrella.



ASPECT: Choose a spot in full sun with protection from strong winds.



SOIL: Fig trees need well-draining soil. If your soil retains too much water, consider a raised bed or growing them in pots to improve drainage.



PLANTING: Potted fig trees can be purchased year-round, but they are best planted in winter when the trees are dormant and less likely to suffer from transplant shock.



PRUNING: Remove any crossed branches to open up the canopy and improve airflow. Trim back growth to maintain a manageable size for harvesting without a ladder.

 

Grow more figs!

The best time for propagating figs is mid-winter when they are dormant.

1. Take a 30-40cm hardwood cutting from a healthy tree. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.

2. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant the cutting into a tray or pot filled with propagating mix or directly into the ground, burying it halfway up.

3. Water gently and place the cutting in a warm, sunny spot. Keep the soil moist, and roots should develop in a few weeks.

FOR YOU TO KNOW

Espaliering a fig tree—training it to grow flat against a wall, fence, or trellis—saves space, improves air circulation, and makes harvesting easier. To do this, train young branches along horizontal wires, securing them with soft ties. Prune regularly to maintain the shape, encourage fruiting wood, and remove any unwanted growth.



IN POTS: Figs grow well in large containers, with a half wine barrel being an ideal size. They produce more fruit when root-bound, making them well-suited to pots. Some gardeners even construct ‘fig pits’—square holes lined with old building materials—to restrict root growth. Keep potted figs well-watered and prune them hard each year. At pruning time, remove one-third of the topsoil and replace it with fresh potting mix.

FERTILISER: Feed potted figs three times a year—September, December, and March—with controlled-release fertiliser. Ground-grown figs should be fed every season with fruit tree fertiliser and a liquid feed.



HARVEST: Harvest figs when the fruit develops full color and a little softness. Eat them immediately, as you'll find their flavor fades in the fridge since figs don’t keep.

Hate those pests

• Birds, possums, rats, and fruit flies all love figs. It is wise to build a strong frame around your tree, over which you can secure a net.

• Use plastic snakes, owls, or disco mirror balls to scare away birds.

• Hang a fruit fly lure in your tree to attract pesky fruit flies.

• Scrub bad scale infestations from stems with a toothbrush dipped in horticultural oil.

"Figs are one of nature's sweetest gifts."



How to dry your own figs

Sun drying (the traditional method)

Cut figs in half or leave smallish ones whole. Place on a drying rack or cloth, covering with mesh to protect against insects. Dry in the sun for 4-7 days, turning occasionally.

Oven drying

Preheat your oven to 60-70°C. Arrange figs on a baking-paper-lined baking tray. Dry for 8-12 hours, turning once.

For both, figs should be dry but flexible.

Great figs for you

1. WHITE ADRIATIC: a large tree suited to warmer climates. Fruit is green with deep-pink flesh and a delicious flavour.









2. BLACK GENOA: a vigorous tree with large purple fruit and sweet red flesh.





3. BROWN TURKEY: a hardy fig with purple/brown skin and honeyed flesh