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Brown Turkey Fig

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'

A cold-hardy fig variety that brings Mediterranean flavors to temperate gardens with remarkable reliability. This vigorous grower produces two crops per year of medium-sized, brownish-purple figs with sweet pink flesh that tastes like honey and jam combined. Brown Turkey is incredibly productive and one of the most adaptable figs for home gardeners, even surviving winters in zone 7 with protection.

Harvest

120-150d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

7–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

10-30 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Brown Turkey Fig in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

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Brown Turkey Fig · Zones 7–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-10 feet apart

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates various soil types

pH6.0-8.0

WaterDeep watering weekly, drought tolerant once established

SeasonTwo crops: early summer (breba) and fall (main crop)

FlavorVery sweet with honey-like flavor and jammy texture

ColorBrown to purple skin with pink to red flesh

Size2-3 inches long, medium-sized

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	July – November
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	June – December
Zone 10	—	March – April	—	May – December

Complete Growing Guide

Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet, 12-24 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Layering, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The infructescence is a ripened receptacle (syconium), not an ovary, that forms in late summer or fall on new wood. Sometimes a small second spring fruiting on new wood occurs. It is 2-4 in. long and may be a number of colors depending on the cultivar. Fruits develop without the need for pollination.

Color: Black, Brown/Copper, Green, Purple/Lavender. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.

Garden value: Edible, Showy

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruits are highly edible fresh, cooked, used in preserves, or dried.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Brown Turkey figs keep only 2-3 days at room temperature, so refrigerate immediately after harvest in a single layer on paper towels. They'll last up to one week in the refrigerator but are best eaten within 2-3 days for optimal texture and flavor.

For longer storage, Brown Turkey figs excel at drying due to their naturally high sugar content. Cut in half and dehydrate at 135°F for 12-18 hours, or sun-dry on screens for 3-4 days in hot, dry climates. Properly dried figs keep for months in airtight containers.

Fresh figs freeze beautifully whole—simply wash, dry, and freeze on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags. Frozen figs work perfectly for smoothies, baking, or making preserves. The high pectin content makes Brown Turkey figs ideal for jams and preserves that set beautifully without added pectin.

History & Origin

Origin: Mediterranean to Central Asia

Advantages

+Attracts: Songbirds
+Wildlife value: Insects, wasps and birds eat the fruit
+Edible: Fruits are highly edible fresh, cooked, used in preserves, or dried.
+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Sap/Juice): Low severity
-Causes contact dermatitis

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Lavender

Repels ants and aphids while attracting beneficial pollinators

Rosemary

Deters fig beetles and other pests with strong aromatic oils

Comfrey

Deep roots bring up nutrients and leaves provide potassium-rich mulch

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Chives

Repels aphids and may deter nematodes with sulfur compounds

Marigolds

Repel root-knot nematodes and whiteflies through natural compounds

Mint

Deters ants and rodents that may damage figs

Yarrow

Attracts beneficial insects and improves soil health

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits fig tree growth and fruit production

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of nearby plants

Large Pine Trees

Create excessive shade and acidify soil, hindering fig growth and fruiting

Nutrition Facts

Calories

74kcal(4%)

Protein

0.75g(2%)

Fiber

2.9g(10%)

Carbs

19.2g(7%)

Fat

0.3g(0%)

Vitamin C

2mg(2%)

Vitamin A

7mcg(1%)

Vitamin K

4.7mcg(4%)

Iron

0.37mg(2%)

Calcium

35mg(3%)

Potassium

232mg(5%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #173021)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Generally disease resistant, good pest resistance

Common Pests

Fig beetles, scale insects, nematodes, birds

Diseases

Fig rust, leaf spot, root rot in poorly drained soils

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Brown Turkey fig take to produce fruit?▼

Brown Turkey figs typically begin producing fruit in their second year after planting, with full production by year three. Trees grown from cuttings often fruit within 12-18 months. The breba (early) crop appears in June-July, followed by the main crop 120-150 days later in August-September.

Can you grow Brown Turkey fig in containers?▼

Yes, Brown Turkey figs excel in large containers (minimum 20-gallon capacity) and actually benefit from the root restriction, which encourages fruiting over excessive growth. Container growing also allows you to move trees indoors or to protected areas during harsh winters in zones 6-7.

What does Brown Turkey fig taste like?▼

Brown Turkey figs have an intensely sweet, honey-like flavor with jammy texture and subtle berry undertones. The pink flesh is less figgy and more approachable than some varieties, making them excellent for fresh eating. The sweetness intensifies when the fruit is allowed to fully ripen on the tree.

Is Brown Turkey fig good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. Brown Turkey is considered one of the easiest figs for beginners due to its cold hardiness, disease resistance, reliable fruiting, and forgiving nature. It requires minimal pruning, tolerates various soil types, and produces well even with basic care.

When should I plant Brown Turkey fig?▼

Plant Brown Turkey figs in spring after the last frost date when soil has warmed to at least 60°F. This gives the tree a full growing season to establish roots before winter. In zones 8-9, you can also plant in early fall, 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost.

Brown Turkey vs Chicago Hardy fig—what's the difference?▼

While both are cold-hardy varieties, Chicago Hardy survives zone 6 winters by dying back and regrowing from roots, while Brown Turkey maintains its woody structure in zone 7+. Brown Turkey produces larger, sweeter fruit, but Chicago Hardy has superior cold tolerance for northern gardeners.