The joy of figs

They are easy to grow and generous fruiters, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

ONCE seen as exotic treats, figs are now widely grown in many areas of the UK, and with good reason.

In a sunny, sheltered site they will happily – and quickly – grow into productive trees with an annual load of delicious, slightly naughty, fruits.

Five years ago we planted a small ‘Brown Turkey’ tree, having laboriously excavated a pit for it (which took an entire day of carving our way through a solid bed of chalk).

The hole took so long to dig because we wanted to line it with paving slabs as figs fruit more prolifically if their roots are constricted in a solidly-lined excavation or a large container.

They do best in a sunny sheltered spot and in our case, the tree is thriving against a south-western-facing wall and already provides us with a handsome offering of luscious fruits each summer.