Brown Turkey Fig
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Fast (2-3 ft/year)
- Full Sun
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Georgia grown & ready to plant
Secure checkoutLicensed & insured installation crew
About Brown Turkey Fig
Brown Turkey Fig (Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey') is the most widely planted fig variety across the Southeast, producing two harvests each year, a smaller early-summer crop (the breba crop) on last year's wood, followed by the larger main crop in late summer on new growth. It is self-fruitful, requiring no second tree or pollinator insect (common fig varieties do not need the specialized wasp that pollinates Smyrna-type figs), so a single plant reliably produces fruit. It grows fast, 2-3 feet per year, into a large shrub or small multi-trunked tree 10-15 feet tall and wide if left unpruned, though many Georgia gardeners maintain it smaller with annual pruning. Brown Turkey tolerates Georgia's clay soil and summer heat well and, once established, is fairly drought tolerant, though consistent moisture during fruit development improves size and sweetness. In colder Zone 8a winters, established plants may experience some dieback of the previous year's growth, but they reliably resprout from the base and still produce a late-summer crop the same year.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 10-15 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 10-15 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate — consistent moisture, especially during fruit development |
| Bloom Season | N/A (fruits without pollination); harvest early and late summer |
| Growth Rate | Fast (2-3 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | No |
| Pet Safe | Check with a vet |
| Native to Georgia | No |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Plant Brown Turkey Fig in full sun in well-drained soil; Georgia clay needs only modest amendment. Water consistently during fruit development in summer for the best size and flavor. Mulch well to protect shallow roots and moderate soil temperature through winter. Prune in late winter to control size and remove any winter dieback; even if top growth is damaged by cold, the plant typically resprouts and fruits the same season.
Fast Facts
- Most widely planted fig variety in the Southeast
- Self-fruitful — no second tree or pollinator wasp needed
- Two harvests per year: early summer and late summer
- Mature size: 10-15 ft tall and wide if unpruned
- Fast growth: 2-3 ft per year
- May experience winter dieback but resprouts reliably from the base
Pairs Well With
Brown Turkey Fig FAQs
Do you need two fig trees to get fruit?
No, Brown Turkey Fig is self-fruitful and produces a reliable crop from a single plant without needing a second tree or specialized pollinator wasp, unlike Smyrna-type figs. This makes it a low-commitment, space-efficient fruit tree for a Georgia backyard.
Does Brown Turkey Fig survive Georgia winters?
Yes, Brown Turkey Fig is well suited to Zone 8a and generally survives Georgia winters, though it may experience some dieback of the previous year's branch tips during a hard freeze. Even after dieback, established plants reliably resprout from the base and still produce a late-summer fruit crop that same year.