• Prefers a sunny situation with rich, heavy, well-drained soil. Varieties available to spread harvest from January to April. Can be grown in most parts of N.Z. Hardly any serious pest and disease problems. Produces excellent quality fruit. Dry for a sweet snack, eat fresh off the tree or cooked and canned as delicious fig preserves. A tantalizing and easy appetizer can be made by wrapping a piece of prosciutto around a fig with a slice of blue cheese on top.