Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'
fruitBrown Turkey is a popular, easy-to-grow fig with brownish-purple skin and sweet, richly flavored pink-amber flesh, well suited to home gardens and containers. It is self-fruitful, needing only one plant, and where the season is long it can bear two crops a year: a light early breba crop on last year's wood and a heavier main crop in late summer and fall.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 5 days
Harvest
~12 months
to first harvest
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
10-15 ft. apart
Planting Depth
Crown at soil line
Soil pH
6.0-6.5
Soil Type
Average, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 7 – 12
When to Fertilize
Late winter to early spring
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10, light
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil with at least eight hours of sun, in the warmest spot available, since figs are only moderately cold-hardy and may die back in hard winters. Water regularly while the fruit develops, mulch the roots, and in cold regions grow Brown Turkey in a container to overwinter under cover or wrap the plant for protection. Prune in late winter to shape and control size.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first harvest
Aug 13 · Year 2
Year 1
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Net the plant as fruit ripens, since ripe figs are a favorite target
Pick ripe fruit promptly and remove any split or fallen figs
Mulch well and interplant marigolds; keep plants vigorous
Space for airflow and rake up fallen, spotted leaves
Pick figs only when fully ripe, since they do not ripen further off the tree: the fruit softens, droops on its stem, deepens to brownish-purple, and may show small cracks and a drop of nectar at the eye. Ripe figs are delicate and perishable, so handle them gently and eat or preserve them within a day or two.
Figs are a good source of fiber and supply potassium, calcium, and antioxidants, and as one of the sweeter fruits they make a naturally rich treat fresh or dried, when their sugars and minerals concentrate.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.
Year 2