Fig

Figs are among the quickest fruit trees to crop — a well-placed tree against a sunny wall can fruit in its second or third year. Restricting the roots is the key to good fruiting: dig a 60cm square pit lined with paving slabs or sink a large container into the ground, which forces the tree to put energy into fruit rather than excessive leafy growth. In cooler climates, the embryo figs formed in autumn overwinter and ripen the following summer. Figs are self-fertile, so a single tree is all you need.