One of the most fascinating things about fig trees is that many varieties can produce two crops each year. Understanding these two crops—breba figs and main crop figs—is absolutely key if you want reliable harvests in the UK.
In a climate like ours, where warmth and time are limited, choosing the right type of crop (and the right varieties) can make the difference between a tree full of ripe fruit… or one full of figs that never quite get there.
What Are Breba Figs?
They grow on last year’s wood (older branches)They form during the previous summer/autumn.
They sit on the tree over winter.
They ripen the following year, usually May to early July in the UK
Because they already have a head start, brebas are often earlier and more reliable in cooler climates.
They also tend to be:
Larger than main crop figs
Fewer in number
Earlier to ripen
What Are Main Crop Figs?
Main crop figs are the second and usually larger crop.
They grow on this year’s new growth
They form in spring and early summer.
They ripen later, typically August to October (or even November in the south).
These are the figs most people think of—but in the UK, they can be less reliable, especially with late varieties.
Why This Matters in the UK
The UK climate changes everything.Our summers are:
Shorter
Cooler
Less predictable
This means:
Late main crops often fail to ripen
Early fruit is far more valuable
That’s why brebas can be a huge advantage.From my own experience (which many UK growers will recognise), varieties like Desert King and Olympian can produce brebas up to 6 weeks earlier in a sheltered spot compared to those grown fully outside.
That’s not a small difference—that’s the difference between ripe figs and none at all. A warm wall, greenhouse, or polytunnel can dramatically improve breba success.
Best Fig Varieties for Breba Crops (UK)
If you want early, reliable fruit, these are some of the strongest breba performers:
Top Breba Producers
Desert King – one of the best breba figs for the UK; large, high-quality fruit
Olympian – excellent early brebas, very reliable
Brown Turkey – widely grown; decent breba crop in good conditions
Brunswick (Magnolia type) – large brebas, often the main reason to grow it
Brooklyn White – good breba production and hardy
St Jean – dependable brebas even in cooler summers👉
In many UK gardens, these varieties are grown primarily for their breba crop rather than the main crop.
Best Fig Varieties for Main Crop (UK)
If you’re relying on the main crop, earliness is everything.
Reliable Main Crop Varieties
Ronde de Bordeaux – very early, one of the most reliable UK figs
Hardy Chicago – dependable, productive, and cold hardy
Florea (Michurinska-10) – extremely early and tough
Violette de Bordeaux (Negronne) – excellent flavour, fairly reliable
Longue d’Août (Banana fig) – productive and reasonably early
Little Miss Figgy – compact and surprisingly reliable
👉 These varieties succeed because they ripen early enough, not because they produce the biggest fruit.e
Practical Growing Tips (UK)
If you want success with both crops:
Choose the right varieties.
Early main crops or strong breba producers are essential.
Use shelter
South-facing walls, greenhouses, or polytunnels can bring fruit forward by weeks
Protect winter wood
Brebas depend on last year’s growth—hard frost can damage them
Don’t over-prune
Too much pruning removes the wood that produces brebas
Encourage new growth (for main crop)
Light feeding and warmth help push early development
Final Thought
In the UK, growing figs successfully is not just about growing figs—it’s about understanding the timing of the crop.
Brebas give you early, reliable fruit
Main crops give you quantity—if the season allows
Get both right, and you can extend your fig season from late spring right through to autumn.
