When to Plant Fig in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

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

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 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.

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 Cool Temperate

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

P = Planting window

Plant bare root July-August.

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How to Grow Fig in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Plant bare root July-August.

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

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.

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 cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, 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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.