Figs are one of my favourite fruits, and although we can't grow the great selection that can be grown in the Mediterranean or the tropics, we can reliably grow one variety; ' Brown Turkey', outside, here in the UK. They will fruit best when grown against a south facing wall, giving a good number of delicious fruit in late August and September.

If you love fig trees for their foliage and aren't too bothered about the fruit, you can grow other varieties, and in different locations (out in the open, against East or West facing walls) - the trees themselves can cope with our cold winters - they just won't be able to ripen their fruit with the reduced sunlight and warmth.

Fig trees can be planted in Autumn or in Spring, and, as with all new trees, they benefit from a dusting of mycorrhizal fungi on their roots, and plenty of water in their first couple of years. Mine fruited in their second year, to my delight!

I have propagated figs almost accidentally, by layering. this is where a young branch touches the soil for a long period of time, and ends up rooting into it. All you have to do is cut it off and put it in a pot or a new location.

Figs are wonderful nutritionally too, especially for Calcium - well worth knowing if you don't eat much dairy.