Figs are one of the oldest cultivated fruits that grow all around the world. They thrive in warm, sunny climates, such as Mediterranean-like places with hot summers and mild winters. Even though figs grow in specific climates, they are widely cultivated across several continents with optimal conditions for a fig tree.
Naturally, when is fig season depends entirely on where it is growing, since climate is what determines the fruiting cycle. In this article, we will take a closer look at when is fig season is across different parts of the world. Read on to learn exactly when the fig season starts and ends across the globe.
As mentioned, figs grow in places where the temperature is warm, such as subtropical and Mediterranean climates. This includes Southern Europe, the Middle East, parts of Asia, the Americas, parts of Australia, and Northern Africa. Fig trees aren't very resilient to climates with harsh winters, though there are some fig tree types that can handle snowfall and colder areas.
After buying a fig tree from a shop like this and planting it, whether indoors or outdoors, you should be able to get at least a few dozen figs in the next harvesting season. Now that you know where figs grow, here's a quick overview of when is fig season across different parts of the world, covering all the continents – except for Antarctica.
Here's when fig season starts and ends in different parts of the Americas.
North America (US, Mexico, Canada): California is the biggest producer of figs in the US, with the season running from late June to early October, which is also the same in Mexico. However, some fig tree varieties produce a breba crop in June and the larger, main crop between August and September.
South America: The majority of figs in South America grow in Brazil and Argentina, where the fig season starts in December and ends in March. Chile also grows a good amount of fig, but the season there starts a month later in January and runs through until March.
Figs only grow in Southern Europe, most notably in the Mediterranean countries.
Spain, Montenegro, Croatia, and Italy: Fig season in these European countries with a Mediterranean climate typically runs from July to September.
Greece and Turkey: Greece and Turkey also harvest much of their figs between July and September, but the fig season in Turkey and parts of Greece can also start earlier in June and finish in late August – it typically comes down to the type of fig tree.
Here's when fig season is in two of Asia's major fig producers.
Middle East: Throughout much of the Middle East, the fig season typically starts in late June and lasts through September. However, it is mostly Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon that grow most of the Middle East's figs.
India: The fig season in India varies by region, with harvesting taking place around February and March in regionslike Maharashtra and Karnataka, while it typically starts in June and ends in August.
While Africa is huge, only North Africa has the ideal climate for fig trees to thrive. Here's when figs are harvested in North Africa.
North Africa: Figs are typically grown in North African countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and parts of Algeria, where the fig season usually runs from July to September.
Although figs aren't very popular in Oceania, many parts of Australia and New Zealand are suitable for fig production. Here's when fig season starts in Oceania, covering Australia and New Zealand.
Australia: Fig season in much of Australia starts in late January and lasts until late March, sometimes through April. Fig season is only different in warmer areas, where the season begins in December and ends in February.
New Zealand: Figs predominantly grow in the North Island. The fig season there is usually between February and April.
Now that you know when is fig season, prepare by pruning your fig tree ahead of time, checking for disease early, and installing netting to prevent wildlife that might be interested in your figs. Since the exact season varies depending on the variety, individual trees, and environmental factors, check for ripeness to know exactly when to pick up fruits.
If you're considering planting a fig tree, it is never too late – even if you plant right after the fig season, your tree will continue to grow and only increase the number of fruit you will have in the next season.