When to Plant Fig in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Plant August. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is August.

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

This Fig guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs 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.

Best Planting Window for Cold / Highland

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

P = Planting window

Plant bare root August. Sheltered north-facing position only.

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How to Grow Fig in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

Plant bare root August. Sheltered north-facing position only.

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

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Fig

Recommended Varieties

  • Brown Turkey
  • Preston Prolific

Key Challenges

  • Short season
  • Late frost kills new growth
  • Main crop may not ripen before autumn cold

Pro Tips

  • Marginal but possible with warmest microclimate. Brown Turkey is the hardiest choice.
  • Against a north-facing stone or brick wall is essential, not optional.
  • May only get one crop (main crop) in good years.

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 cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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 Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.