210 How to grow a fig tree in your own backyard There’s nothing quite like picking fresh figs We’re also not the only ones who love a sunburnt country – figs do from your own backyard! So here’s what you too! Fig trees grow really well in Australia due to our hot summers need to know to grow your own fig tree! and cooler winters. Just be careful while the tree is young as too much sun can see a little sunburn on it’s leaves. To protect your Figs are the first plant that humans ever cultivated for food! We’ve young tree’s bark from burning, you can use a white water-based been besotted with their delicate texture and sweet flavours for paint which will act as a sunscreen. centuries but nowadays, we tend to wait for them to arrive at our It’ll take a little while for your fig tree to bear fruit – usually between grocer rather than growing them ourselves. With that in mind, two to three years, but oh boy is it worth the wait. Fig trees usually here’s our guide to growing your own figs! have two fruiting cycles a year, the first in early February and the Firstly, you need to source a fig seedling or to save some time it’s second throughout March and April. Allow the fruit to partly ripen just as good to purchase a young tree. Fig plants can be purchased on the tree but be sure to pick the fruit as it ripens as they spoil fast! from your local nursery or you can contact a fig farm and ask if There are a number of varieties available in Australia including the they sell them. If you’re really keen, you can grow a fig tree from a Brown Turkey – a perfect variety for Australia with full flavoured seedling. Just remember to soak the seeds in lukewarm water for medium sized fruit with thin skin; the Black Genoa, a larger fig that’s 1–2 days before planting them in soil – the ones that float to the rich and sweet – perfect for eating fresh; the White Adriatic, a very top are most likely infertile so only keep the seeds that have sunk large tree with greenish yellow fruit that has a wonderful flavour to the bottom. and strawberry red pulp; or the Prestons Prolific with thick creamy The beauty of fig trees is that you can grow them in either the white flesh and sweet juicy flavour. ground or in a pot. As your tree grows, you can transfer it to a larger No matter which variety you choose, you’ll fall in love with your fig pot or into your garden. A potted fig tree is great when space is tree… because while money doesn’t grow on trees, luckily for us all, limited or for apartment living, it also ensures that your figs are figs do! Eat them fresh, dried, glazed or poached.. and don’t forget sweeter than ones grown naturally on large trees. the leaves, there are quite a few ways that these can be used in your Fig trees are tolerant of most soil types, but perform best in well- cooking too! drained fertile soils. Remember to water your fig tree often but don’t soak it – if the tree receives too little water you may find that your figs are a little more hollow than usual, too much water and youenu with your figs splitting! THE NEFF AUSTRALIA COOKBOOK