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Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig

$250.00

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Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 3m to 4m

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' is the fig most Australian gardeners already know, a deciduous tree bearing purple brown fruit with soft red pink flesh. Broad lobed leaves build a rounded, spreading canopy through the warm months, then fall to leave an open branch structure standing bare over winter.

Full sun and free draining soil give the best crops. The tree is frost hardy while bare and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, and it handles dry periods, though even watering while the fruit swells prevents splitting. It adds 20 to 40 centimetres a year in temperate and Mediterranean climates.

At 3 to 5 metres tall and 3 to 4 metres wide it fits a backyard corner, a productive row spaced 3 metres apart, or a large tub on a paved terrace. Picking fruit soft and ripe straight off the tree is the main reason most people plant one.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Brown Turkey Fig

What is a Brown Turkey Fig?

Brown Turkey is the most widely grown fig cultivar in Australia, a deciduous tree bearing medium to large fruit with purple brown skin and soft red pink flesh. It is reliable, it crops young and it handles a wide range of conditions, which is why it turns up in so many backyards.

How big does it grow?

It reaches 3 to 5 metres tall and 3 to 4 metres wide when left to its own devices, forming a rounded spreading canopy. Most home growers prune it to around 2.5 to 3 metres so the fruit stays within reach from the ground. Allow 3 to 4 metres between trees when planting more than one.

When does it fruit?

The main crop ripens through summer and into early autumn, generally January to March. Warm districts often get an earlier breba crop in late spring from wood grown the previous season. Fruit is ready when it softens, the neck bends over and a bead of syrup shows at the eye.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

Deciduous. It carries big lobed leaves through spring and summer, colours off and drops them in autumn, and stands bare over winter before shooting again in spring. That bare period is when pruning is done, and it is also why the tree lets winter sun through to whatever sits beneath it.

Does it need a second tree to set fruit?

No. Brown Turkey is self fertile and needs no pollinator or fig wasp, so one tree on its own will crop. Poor fruit set in figs is almost always down to a tree that is still too young, heavy shade, or drought stress over summer rather than any lack of pollination.

Can it be grown in a pot?

Yes. Brown Turkey takes to containers well and the restricted root run encourages earlier fruiting. Use a tub of 50 centimetres or more with free draining mix, and water consistently in summer since dry pots drop their fruit. Prune each winter and refresh the top of the mix or repot every few years.

How do I prune and care for a fig tree?

Prune in late winter while the tree is bare, taking out crossing and inward growing limbs and shortening the leaders to hold the height. Mulch, water deeply during fruit development and feed in early spring. Net as fruit ripens if birds are active, and avoid heavy nitrogen which favours leaves over fruit.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Edible Garden
Feature Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig works in an:

Edible Garden – integrates fruit, herbs, and productive plants.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig Evergreen or Deciduous?

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 3m to 4m

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

Growth Rate of Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig

Is Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig frost tolerant?

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig Flower?

Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’ does not produce visible flowers; instead, its flowers develop internally within the fruit. These concealed floral structures mature into medium to large bronze-brown figs with warm pink flesh, giving the tree seasonal interest through fruit development rather than ornamental bloom.

Does Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Autumn

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig an Australian Native Tree?

No

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig is Native to Native to the Mediterranean and western Asia. ‘Brown Turkey’ is a widely grown cultivar valued for its consistent fruiting and adaptability.

What is the Wildlife Value of Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig ?

Its sweet ripe figs attract fruit-eating birds, bees, wasps and beneficial insects, while the broad deciduous canopy provides shade and shelter for small wildlife. Fallen fruit supports ground-dwelling insects, helping build a rich and biodiverse orchard ecosystem.

How much Sunlight does Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig need?

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Full Shade

Preferred Soil?

Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then move to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support vigorous growth, consistent fruiting and strong drought resilience.

Is Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig Drought Tolerant?

Is Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Brown Turkey’ develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry, coastal and Mediterranean-style environments and continues fruiting reliably with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape if used as hedging or screening. For a clear trunk feature, remove lower branches as the tree grows.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' Fig in Different Soil

Ficus carica performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the best time to harvest 'Brown Turkey' Figs? Harvest when the fruit is fully colored, slightly soft to the touch, and droops on its stem.
Do I need another fig tree for pollination? No, 'Brown Turkey' is self-fertile and doesn't require another tree for fruit set.