How to grow figs in the UK

Inspired by a helpful YouTube guide. We based this walk-through on the popular UK video "How to grow figs in the UK", from a popular UK gardening channel. Figs in the UK are genuinely doable and this guide shows exactly what the plant needs to fruit well in a British climate.

1. Choose the right variety for the UK

Most fig varieties need a hot Mediterranean summer to ripen fruit properly, so variety choice matters more here than almost anywhere. Brown Turkey is the standard recommendation for UK gardens and it is reliable, reasonably hardy, and available in most garden centres.

White Marseilles is worth considering if you have a very sheltered, sunny spot. Rouge de Bordeaux produces smaller, darker fruit and is also reasonably hardy. Avoid varieties sold without a label or as generic "fig trees" as these are often unsuitable for the British climate.

2. Pick a warm, sheltered spot

Figs fruit best against a south or south-west facing wall where reflected heat accumulates. A sheltered corner is even better. The plant will survive in an open border but is unlikely to ripen fruit reliably in most UK locations.

East Kent is actually reasonable fig territory. The summers are warmer and drier than much of England, which gives the fruit a better chance of ripening before October. A good south-facing wall in Sandwich can produce a decent crop in a reasonable summer.

3. Restrict the roots at planting

Left to grow freely in open ground, figs put most of their energy into leaves and new growth rather than fruit. Restricting the roots encourages the plant to produce fruit instead. This is the single biggest factor in whether a UK fig actually crops well.

The simplest method is to plant into a large container, or to build a planting pit lined with paving slabs to constrain the root run. A pit about 60 cm square and 60 cm deep, lined on the sides and base with broken slabs or rubble, works well. Add a thin layer of rubble at the base for drainage before planting.

4. Water and feed through the growing season

Figs in containers need regular watering through spring and summer, particularly during dry spells. Let the compost dry a little between waterings but don't let the pot dry out completely as this causes the developing fruit to drop.

Feed fortnightly with a high-potassium liquid feed (tomato feed works well) from late spring through to late summer. This supports fruit development. Figs in open ground need less feeding, but a spring mulch of garden compost is beneficial.

5. Prune to shape and remove frost-damaged wood

Prune in late spring once the risk of hard frost has passed. This is when you can clearly see which wood has been damaged over winter and which is producing healthy new growth. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches and any growth heading into the wall rather than away from it.

The aim is an open, fan-trained shape against the wall if it is wall-trained, or a manageable open bush if freestanding. Figs fruit on the previous year's young growth, so a light hand is better than cutting hard back. Tie in new growth to wires fixed to the wall as it extends through summer.

6. Protect from hard frosts

Fig plants can tolerate moderate frosts but the young fruitlets that overwinter on the branch are more vulnerable. These tiny embryo fruits are what become the following year's crop, so losing them to a hard frost means no harvest the following summer.

From November, wrap container-grown figs in bubble wrap or horticultural fleece. Wall-trained plants can be protected by pinning a double layer of fleece over the branches on nights when a hard frost is forecast. Remove the covering on mild days to allow air circulation.

7. Know when the figs are ready to pick

Ripe figs are soft to the touch, hang downward rather than pointing upward, and the skin may begin to split slightly near the base. The colour deepens and the neck of the fruit softens. With Brown Turkey you are looking for a brownish-purple skin and a sweet smell.

Pick gently to avoid bruising. Ripe figs do not keep long, so use or eat them within a couple of days. If you have a large crop, they freeze well, or can be dried in a very low oven over several hours.

When to call a handyman

Richard can help with planting fruit trees and wall-trained plants, fixing and tensioning horizontal wires for wall training, and building planting pits. If the plant needs tying in at height or you need a new trellis or wire system on a wall, get in touch.