Fig 'Brown Turkey' (Ficus carica)
Regular price $22.95 Sale price $19.95Reliable, Sweet Figs with a Classic Flavor and Heavy Yields
The Brown Turkey Fig is a time-tested favorite among fig growers for its abundant fruit, sweet flavor, and hardiness across a wide range of climates. It produces medium to large, pear-shaped figs with brown to bronze skin and rosy-pink flesh that’s mild, honeyed, and excellent for fresh eating, baking, and preserves.
One of the easiest and most forgiving figs to grow, Brown Turkey is self-fertile, fast-growing, and fruits reliably from an early age. It often produces two crops per year in warm zones—an early breba crop in early summer and a main crop in late summer to early fall.
It grows beautifully in containers or in the ground, with a mature height of 10–20 ft (easily kept smaller with pruning). Cold-hardy down to Zone 7, and drought-tolerant once established, Brown Turkey is an ideal fig for beginners and pros alike, especially for edible landscapes, orchards, and food forests.
Figs are packed with essential nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamins A, B, and K, as well as minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Enjoy Brown Turkey Figs fresh from the tree, in salads, desserts, or as a sweet addition to cheese platters. They are also excellent for making preserves, jams, and dried snacks. With its attractive foliage and bountiful fruit production, the Brown Turkey Fig tree adds aesthetic value to any garden or landscape.
Growing Tips
Plant figs in full sun and provide well-draining soil with moderate moisture. Figs are adaptable and drought-tolerant once established, though consistent watering during active growth and fruit development encourages strong growth and reliable fruit production. All varieties are self-fertile, so a single tree can produce fruit, and they can be grown in containers or planted directly in the ground. Figs are perennial, deciduous fruit trees that can begin producing within 1–2 years. Propagate by cuttings, and prune as needed to maintain a manageable size and encourage healthy new growth. Larger varieties can be kept smaller with regular pruning, while Little Ruby naturally remains a compact dwarf variety.
Most varieties are suited to Zones 7–10, while Olympian and Chicago Hardy are especially cold-hardy choices for colder climates. Olympian is cold-hardy to approximately 0°F, while Chicago Hardy can die back during severe freezes and regrow from the roots. Protect young trees from extreme cold, particularly during winter, and consider growing figs in containers that can be moved to a sheltered location in colder climates. Figs are generally dormant during winter, with fruit developing on new wood for most varieties.
Quick Care Guide
| Variety | Size | Harvest | Fruit In | Growth | Zones | Food Forest Layer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Honey | 10–15 ft. | Early + late summer | 1–2 years | Fast | 7–10 | Understory |
| Yellow Long Neck | 8–15 ft. | Mid–late summer | 1–2 years | Fast | 7–10 | Understory |
| Violette de Bordeaux | 6–10 ft. | Early + late summer | 1–2 years | Moderate–fast | 7–10 | Understory |
| Olympian | 8–12 ft. | Mid–late summer | 1–2 years | Fast | 6–10 | Understory |
| Royal Vineyard | 8–12 ft. | Mid–late summer | 1–2 years | Moderate–fast | 7–10 | Understory |
| Brown Turkey | 10–20 ft. | Early + late summer | 1–2 years | Fast | 7–10 | Understory |
| Little Ruby | 3–6 ft. (dwarf) | Summer–fall | 1–2 years | Fast | 7–10 | Understory |
| Celeste | 8–15 ft. | Summer; early breba possible | 1–2 years | Fast | 7–10 | Understory |
| Chicago Hardy | 8–15 ft. | Summer–fall | 1–2 years | Fast | 6–10 | Understory |
All varieties are self-fertile and prefer full sun, moderate water, and well-draining soil. They are perennial, deciduous trees and can be grown in containers or in the ground.
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