Figs are a delicious, sweet and sticky fruit that grow well in the UK and are enjoyed as fresh, as well as being used in cooked desserts and pies.
Growing figs in the UK is possible and is most successful when the roots are restricted. Fig plants are extremely hardy, and certain variants like Brown Turkey and Brunswick are best suited for the English climate. The plant itself is highly decorative and even the leaves can be used in cooking different Mediterranean dishes.
Here’s a guide on how to grow figs in your allotment or garden.
How to Grow Figs
Fig trees are grown from young plants that can be planted directly in the soil or in a large container. Figs will do best if their roots are restricted, therefore, a container may be preferable, or you can plant it within a container, in the ground. Figs like a sunny and sheltered position and you can train them to grow in a fan across a fence or structure.
Are you wondering when to plant figs for the best results?
Springtime is an ideal time for planting. When growing figs in the UK, it’s best to plant them against a south or east-facing wall, so that during the night, the plant can absorb heat from the brick wall.
Before you plant a fig tree, you will need to prepare the soil. Use slightly alkaline soil that is well-drained and adds plenty of manure or compost. You can mulch up the base to retain moisture.
Figs should be well-watered during the summer and any light pruning should be done between spring and summer. Bear in mind that fig trees form fruits at the branch tips where buds have formed.
When growing figs in your garden or allotment, you need to first dig a hole that’s two feet in depth. Then line the hole with slabs and stones, to prevent the root from entering neighbouring soil space. You can also add rubble at the bottom of the hole, before layering it with compost.
If growing figs in a pot, remember to water it at regular intervals during the summer and repot the plant every two or three years.
For allotments that are located in colder temperatures, fig trees need to be wrapped in horticulture fleece or bubble wrap during the night. They can also be kept indoors or in a greenhouse during the winter if this is an option for you.
When growing figs, you need to keep an eye out for squirrels and birds, especially when the figs start ripening. Fig plants are mostly not prone to diseases, but if grown indoors or in greenhouses, you might notice fungal growths.
Once the weather gets warm, you’ll find little figs appearing on the branches. This may make you wonder when to pick your figs.
Figs are formed and ripen for picking in the late summer to autumn, usually between June and September. Their skins will turn from green to purple and be soft to the touch and may split when it is gently squeezed. They will appear tear-drop shaped and hang limply for easy picking.
Any remaining embryo fruit will remain dormant over the winter and ripen the next autumn. Most fig trees in the UK produce one crop annually, although if the weather is particularly warm in your area or you are growing figs in a greenhouse or polytunnel, then you might obtain two crops.
Figs are mostly enjoyed from their sun-ripened freshness, but they can be dried or used in cooked desserts and preserves too.
