When to Plant Fig in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Plant March to May and August to October. Right now in October you can plant.

Planting window
One of the most reliable fruit trees in the arid zone, and very hardy once established. Deep watering improves the crop; nematodes like fig...
Sunlight
Full sun essential for sweetest fruit. At least 8 hours direct. Heat-loving. Benefits from reflected heat off walls and paving.
Soil pH
6.0-8.0 (very tolerant of alkaline soils)

Published · Last reviewed · By GardenBuddy.au
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Fig guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Fig

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

One of the easiest fruit trees for Australian home gardens. Tough, drought-tolerant once established, and self-fertile (common fig varieties don't need pollination or a wasp). Most varieties produce two crops: 'breba' crop on last year's wood in early summer, and main crop on current season's growth in late summer/autumn. Can be kept small by pruning or grown as a large spreading tree. Extremely productive. A single tree can produce 20-50kg of fruit per year.

See what grows now in your own postcode

Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - P P P - - P P P - -

P = Planting window

One of the most reliable fruit trees in the arid zone, and very hardy once established. Deep watering improves the crop; nematodes like fig roots, so keep figs away from the vegie patch.

Want a nudge when it is Fig sowing time in Alice Springs?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Arid / Semi-Arid zone right now, Fig included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

This month in Arid / Semi-Arid

In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.

The full twelve months are on the Arid / Semi-Arid zone page.

How to Grow Fig in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

One of the most reliable fruit trees in the arid zone, and very hardy once established. Deep watering improves the crop; nematodes like fig roots, so keep figs away from the vegie patch.

Soil
Tolerates most soils including clay and limestone. Prefers well-drained but surprisingly adaptable. Restricting root space (against a wall, in a pot, or with buried barriers) can increase fruit production.
pH Range
6.0-8.0 (very tolerant of alkaline soils)
Sunlight
Full sun essential for sweetest fruit. At least 8 hours direct. Heat-loving. Benefits from reflected heat off walls and paving.

Companion plants: Rue (traditional companion), Comfrey, Strawberry

Avoid planting near: Plumbing/foundations (aggressive root system), Other fruit trees it will shade

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Fig

Recommended Varieties

  • Black Genoa
  • Brown Turkey
  • White Adriatic
  • Kadota
  • Mission

Key Challenges

  • Extreme heat can sunburn fruit
  • Water management

Pro Tips

  • Figs are IDEAL for arid zones. They originate from the Middle East and Mediterranean.
  • Once established, figs need less water than almost any other fruit tree.
  • Dry heat actually produces the sweetest figs. No souring or splitting issues.

Harvesting Fig

When ready: Neck droops (fruit hangs down instead of pointing up). Skin colour deepens (variety-specific). Slight softness when gently squeezed. Drop of nectar at the eye. Skin may crack slightly at base of neck.

How to harvest: Twist and pull gently upward. Ripe figs detach easily. Wear gloves. Fig sap (latex) irritates skin. Handle gently. Ripe figs bruise easily.

Where to next

What fig costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this October: Lemongrass, Cucumber, Savory and Basil.

The pest most likely to find your fig: Birds (Bowerbirds, Cockatoos, Pigeons).

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Common Questions About Fig

When do you plant fig in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.