Story: Growing Figs
Episode: 2
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Air Date: 6 March 2021

Figs originate from a Mediterranean climate and, therefore, thrive in most states of Australia. Trev shares his tips and tricks growing figs this Autumn.

• The common fig is a syconium, meaning a collection of small flowers. Hence, the fig is described as a ‘false fruit’.
• Figs come in many different varieties, the Panache fig being one of the rarer ones.
• The foliage and the fruit of the Panache fig can be variegated with a golden striping across the skin.
• The flesh of the Panache fig is raspberry in colour and rich in flavour.
• To ensure a longer harvesting period, plant different varieties that will fruit at different stages of the season. This will enable harvests to last between 3-6 months of the year.
• To ensure a longer harvest, plant multiple varieties that will fruit at different stages of the season. You could be harvesting for 3 to 5 months of the year.
• Figs are very versatile and can be eaten fresh, dried or made into a fig jam or fig sauce.
• Birds are the biggest pests when it comes to growing figs because they enjoy eating them.
• To grow fig trees, take a tip cutting off a fig tree that’s approximately 15 cm in length and cut all the leaves off. Repeat this 5 or 6 times.
• Place the tip cuttings into a bucket of sand or lawn conditioner.
• It will take approximately 8 weeks for the cuttings to drop roots. Once they have, each new fig tree must be re-potted into their own pots.