Fig Trees

Fig Trees are readily available for sale from online and retail nurseries, they are a hardy drought tolerant tree once established. Originally from the Mediterranean figs grow well in many areas of Australia. A hardy tree once established fig trees not only provide wonderful fruit but with great foliage are an asset for this reason alone.

Figs trees can be grown in the ground, in pots and can even be grown as a fruiting hedge. When growing in pots try to keep the pot size small and 'pot up' as required, fig trees seems to fruit better with a restricted root run. In warmer climates fig trees can actually produce two crops a year.

Care and cultivation

Mulch each year to maintain a cool root run, some well rotted compost and aged sheep or cow manure can also be added. Water fig trees to keep moist in summer, but not wet. A monthly watering with a liquid seaweed fertilizer is beneficial.

Fig trees have a fairly shallow root system so try not to disturb it by digging around the tree.

Pruning fig trees

Fig trees need very little pruning, usually they can be left for 3 - 4 years before shaping if required. Newly planted trees can be cut back to reduce transplant shock but this is not generally needed unless you are transplanting an established fig. Fig trees can also be espaliered to 'save space' a fan is the usual shape.

Figs fruit on last seasons wood, so the only resin to prune is to make more fruiting spurs. Best time to prune a fig is in winter and remember that hard pruning will reduce the crop for the next season

With a number of fig tree varieties including White Genoa and Black Genoa, available for sale to the home gardener, type of fruit, tree size and ripening time all need to be considered when purchasing a fig tree. Popular varieties include Brown Turkey, an early ripening fig that does well in drier areas and Black Genoa, a prolific fruiting tree.

Fig tree varieties include

• BLACK GENOA
  A fast growing heavy cropping tree that produces large sweet purple skinned fruit.
• WHITE GENOA
  Grows well in cooler areas, yellow green skin and a softer taste than many figs.
• BROWN TURKEY
  Useful as it crops over a long period commencing early. Large fruit that are sweet. Very hardy tree that does well in inland areas.
• CAPE WHITE
  Does well in warmer areas, good fruit for jam.
• BLUE PROVINCE
  Very old variety with a bluish fruit, later to ripen than many, large attractive foliage
• DWARF BROWN
  Suited to smaller spaces and backyards
• PRESTON PROLIFIC
  A black skinned fruit from a heavy cropping large growing tree. Orange flesh.
• WHITE ADRIATIC
  Fruit is green to yellow with very sweet flesh. A large fast growing tree.