Brown Turkey Fig Trees

Cooked fig leaf wrapped fish meal

Photo by Emmy Ulmschneider

By Debbie Roland and Emmy Ulmschneider, Master Gardeners

The Brown Turkey fig tree (Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’) is a popular fruit tree prized for its sweet, mild figs and adaptability to West Texas.  Native to the Mediterranean, this variety thrives in warm climates but can also be grown in cooler regions with some care.  It can be grown in your yard or in a container and offers beauty and delicious fruit with relatively low maintenance.

It is best to plant your fig in the late fall or early spring when the tree is dormant, and temperatures are mild.  Planting during cooler months allows it to establish its root system before the stress of summer heat.  In our zone early spring planting is ideal.

Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.  If your soil is heavy clay, consider amending it with compost or plant in a raised bed or large container.  Regular watering is essential, especially during the first year as the tree establishes itself.  Deep watering once a week is usually sufficient but more frequent watering may be needed when it is very hot and dry as in July and August.

Mulch around the base of the tree to retain moisture and suppress weeds but keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.  Fertilizing should be done sparingly since too much nitrogen can encourage leafy growth at the expense of fruit production.  Maybe apply a balanced fertilizer in spring and once more in the growing season.   As always follow label directions to any fertilizer exactly.

Pruning helps maintain the shape of the tree and encourages fruit production.  In late winter or early spring before new growth begins prune to remove dead or damaged wood and to thin out crowded branches.  If your tree is in a container pruning will help control size and encourage branching.

Brown Turkey figs typically produce two crops each year.  The first crop is called the breba crop and develops on last year’s growth and ripens in early summer, around June or July.  The main crop grows on new growth and ripens later typically in late summer to early fall, from August through October depending on the weather.

Figs are ready to harvest when they have changed color from green to a rich brownish purple and begin to droop slightly on the branch.  Ripe figs should feel soft to the touch and may even begin to crack slightly.  Pick figs gently as they bruise easily and do not ripen well once picked.

For more information about growing figs in our area, see our previous blog articles https://www.westtexasgardening.org/post/a-love-affair-with-figs

 and https://www.westtexasgardening.org/post/_figs

This tree is an excellent choice for our area, especially for those seeking an easy to grow fruit tree with delicious rewards.  With the right planting time, proper care and patience, you can enjoy fresh, sweet figs from your own backyard year after year.

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or in Midland at 686-4700.   Additional information, and our blog for access to past articles, is available at westtexasgardening.org.  Click on “Resources.”

Try sugar baked figs for dessert

Photo by Emmy Ulmschneider