When to Plant Fig in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Out of season. Next window opens in June
What this month normally looks like in Cool Temperate

In October the Cool Temperate zone normally runs 19°C by day and 8°C overnight, with about 67 mm of rain over 9 or 10 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -3.0°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 28 postcodes, SILO.

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  1. Planting calendar
  2. How to grow
  3. Local tips and varieties
  4. Pests and problems
  5. Harvesting
  6. Storing and preserving
  7. Other zones and related crops
  8. Common questions

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This Fig guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

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

Planting window
Jun to Aug
Sun
Full sun
Soil pH
6.0–8.0

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).

Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

Fig

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Best Planting Window for Cool Temperate

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

P = Planting window

Plant bare-root trees in winter in a sunny, sheltered spot. Some varieties give a small breba crop in early summer before the main crop in late summer and autumn.

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How to Grow Fig in Cool Temperate Australia

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.
Salt
Moderately tolerant. Handles slightly salty water better than most veggies.
pH Range
6.0-8.0
Sunlight
Full sun essential for sweetest fruit. At least 8 hours direct. Heat-loving. Benefits from reflected heat off walls and paving.
Good companions
Rue (traditional companion), Comfrey, Strawberry, Mint
Keep away from
Plumbing/foundations (aggressive root system), Other fruit trees it will shade

Members see the exact salt threshold, how much harvest it loses as salt rises, and what to grow instead. See what members get

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Fig

Recommended Varieties

  • Brown Turkey (most cold-hardy)
  • Black Genoa
  • White Adriatic
  • Preston Prolific

Key Challenges

  • Late spring frost can damage new growth
  • Shorter season may not ripen main crop fully
  • Breba crop may be frost-damaged

Pro Tips

  • Very good fig zone. Melbourne's fig trees are legendary.
  • North-facing wall position essential for reliable cropping.
  • Brown Turkey is the most reliable variety for cool areas.

Pests and problems for Fig in Cool Temperate

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Browse the full pest library →

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.

Storing and preserving fig

How to keep it
  • Drying. Halve figs, place cut-side up on racks. Sun-dry (3-5 days in dry climate) or dehydrate at 55°C for 10-16 hours. Figs are naturally high in sugar and dry beautifully. Keeps: 6-12 months.
  • Freezing. Halve or quarter. Freeze on tray then bag. Best for cooking/baking after thawing. Keeps: 6 months.
  • Jam/Paste. Chop figs, cook with sugar (2:3 sugar to fig ratio), lemon juice, and optional spices (cinnamon, vanilla). Simmer until thick. Jar hot. Keeps: 12 months.
  • Preserved in syrup. Pack whole small figs in sterilised jars. Cover with hot sugar syrup. Water bath process 30 minutes. Keeps: 12 months.
  • Fig paste (for cheese). Cook figs with sugar, balsamic vinegar, walnuts. Reduce to thick paste. Set in lined tin. Slice when cool. Keeps: 3 months refrigerated.

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

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What members get

  • Soil and weather from your nearest station
  • An email when it's time to sow
  • Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
  • Price history and price alerts
  • Pest risk alerts for your area
  • Full salt and canning detail

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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:

When should I plant Fig in Melbourne?

Plant bare-root trees in winter in a sunny, sheltered spot. Some varieties give a small breba crop in early summer before the main crop in late summer and autumn.

How do I know when Fig are ready to harvest?

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.

What are the best Fig varieties for Melbourne?

Recommended varieties for the Cool Temperate zone include: Brown Turkey (most cold-hardy), Black Genoa, White Adriatic, Preston Prolific.

What grows well with Fig?

Good companion plants for Fig include: Rue, Comfrey, Strawberry, Mint.

Are fig salt tolerant?

Fairly. Fig are moderately tolerant of salt and handle slightly salty water better than most veggies.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it 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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.