Brown Turkey Fig - Ficus carica

Paul measuring the depth of the hole - having bought 1m x 1m slabs

Added three bags of well-rotted manure and some homegrown twiggy Hot Compost.

Watered in well - and enjoying the sunshine!

I can hardly see the hills outside of the window as I write this because the cloud is so low and grey, however, last week we enjoyed a couple of days of beautiful sunshine, bright blue skies and even balmy temperatures.  This was the perfect timing to plant out Kate's fig tree - and, for once, we followed the appropriate advice and instructions from the experts - Gardener's World, RHS and a website I came across recently - www.rootsplants.co.uk .

Fig trees are native to Syria and Persia but Brown Turkey Figs can be grown successfully in the UK. The idea is to trick them into thinking they are growing on a rocky hilltop in the eastern Mediterranean by keeping their roots restricted!
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Gardener’s World advise that “the best time to plant a fig tree is late winter or spring – it will have plenty of time to establish before cold weather sets in. It will need a deep hole, as it has a long tap root. It's thought that figs do best when their roots are slightly restricted. If you're planting your tree in the ground, dig a planting hole, and then part fill it with well-rotted manure and rubble, to help restrict roots. If you have them, using paving slabs to make a wall around the roots to further restrict them. Back-fill with compost and firm into place. Water well”.

• Brown Turkey fig trees do not need winter protection in the UK however are best positioned in a warm, sheltered spot in full sun, such as against a wall.
• Brown Turkey is fully hardy so will produce baskets full of figs; the plump, sweet, juicy fruits with deep red flesh under skins with shades of brown, green and purple,  develop in spring and ripen from August to September.
• A fantastic foliage plant in its own right, Brown Turkey has attractive, deep green lobed leaves which lend a Mediterranean look to the garden.
• Low maintenance, minimal pruning and maximum fruit returns = the perfect gift!
• Another hardy fig tree is called Brunswick.

Ultimate height:  2.5–4 metres (after / between 10 – 20 years ),
Ultimate spread: 2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions: Chalk, Loam, Sand,
pH: Alkaline, Neutral
Moisture:  Moist but well–drained

So - now you know!