JustJoan,
As Patty stated, many of us grow figs in containers. Keeping your figs in an unheated garage that stays between 35-40 is perfect. I keep mine in a detached garage and the temps fall well below freezing (which is not ideal but they keep coming back). You don't want to keep them too warm that they don't go dormant in the winter. Figs need a time period of dormancy in order to perform well. The beauty of container growing is that you don't have to wrap them since they can be put in a protected area. All I do with mine is tie up the branches (to keep them out of the way. It is amazing how flexible they are.)) and roll them into the garage. That keeps them out of the wind and wet, which are the real killers in winter.

Most excellant, thanks for the information. Really looking forward to growing my own figs!!!

The first 2 winters, I kept mine in a 55-60* room in basement. They broke dormancy when the days got longer & sun got higher---around this time. I'd say any temp above freez to 60* is good and in a dark room.
I'm thinking of doing more grafting onto my BT. So far the It. Golden Honey took last summer. That would be fun to have a 5 in 1 fig tree!
Look out Joan. Big snow storm coming our way!!!

YUK, I know, have to work now on Sunday saving people from themselves. Hopefully everyone will stay put in their houses! Luckily with this one it won't be followed by below zero temps. I knew this was going to happen, soft early winter and then we get tons of snow almost overnight! BAH HUMBUG! Be safe and keep warm!

Hi Patty, I thought I read awhile back that you did some massive root prunning to one of your figs. How did that turn out? Did it go into any shock? Did you get less/more figs? Just wondering because this spring I will be doing some cutting back also.- Vinny

Vinny, yes I checked the roots on my big BT last spring & it was root bound being in same pot for 3 yrs. I trimmed roots & put it back in same pot. What I should've done was prune a few branches to balance it all. It grew normal except the figs were small. Can't complain cuz it was the first time I ate figs off it since fall '02 when I got it.
The trees have been in laundry room in basement for few weeks now, so yest. & today I kept lite on in that room. It's only a spiral 24 watt flourescent, but I just noticed that all 6 trees are ready to leaf out & some have baby figs starting! FIG TREES ARE WAKING UP!!! LOL
I'll do the lite on for next few days & bring them up for 2-3 days in kitchen & then to sunroom & then TO THE FRIGGING WARM & SUNNY OUTSIDE!!!!! - if it ever gets here
This is a good time to get them to break dormancy if you can BTW.

I brought mine out of the garage and into the GH last week. There is new growth all around. Thanks, Patty!

SB

SB, no need to thank me unless I carried them from your garage to GH
Also, I will do same as last year with breba crop (those are the first crop of figs that usually just fall off & delay start time of REAL crop). I'll wait a bit & then pluck them all off. I should get more figs to ripen before fall this way. It worked well last yr.

My Paradise nursery figs arrived about two weeks ago and they are already starting to leaf out. I have had them inside the house since they arrived. I also brought in some of the smaller figs from the garage to help them break bud. They are just starting to show signs of life. I want to get as much of a jump on the season as I can.

What's everyone else's status?

Chops. I keep mine in the garage until Mother's day. I know that's late, but when I first started growing figs, that is what I was told. I think if the weather looks good, I will be taking them out earlier this year. I have noticed the buds are beginning to swell up. I'm hoping for a good year. Time will tell.- Vinny

Mine are all leafed out well. Some have breba figs that I will pluck off (they never ripen anyway & only hold up big crop). I read many times that you should unwrap/ take figs out of dormancy by March 15th. I started mine (gradually) in Feb.
If your figs are still dormant GET THEM OUT OF IT lol.
I live in Z 5 so need more time for them to ripen.
I got them out of dormancy same time last yr & it was a great year for figs --hopefully this yr. will be better. No new figs yet (except breba) & they haven't been outside....but dying for more sun!
Calling for snow & it's in 20's now with gusts up to over 30 MPH. The next nice days, I will cart them outside.... & prolly back in if it gets cold at night!
Same with citrus. Ooooh, my achey breaky back. This is a tough time time of year.

Yes, it is a lot of shuffling around for sure. My largest fig is still in the garage. It is too large and heavy to move around much so I usually wait for a day that's guranteed to be warm and sunny before I bring it out. The others are all in 5 gallon pots or less so they are a snap. I have them in a south room with a heater to help them wake up. Each day I look for the sunny, warm weather to pop up on the forecast and then they go out to a shaded area for sun 'hardening'. I am slowly learning as they teach me what they need. It is a fun process. I can't wait to get the citrus out for the summer- they are aching for sun.

Have any of you tried repotting during this stage of new spring growth (for figs)? They could probably use the next step up in pot size but I don't want to disrupt their growth cycle and ruin chances of production. Do you think the figs can bounce back quickly enough?

I have a tree in a whiskey barrel at work that has been tucked away in the warehouse since the fall. Today I decided to uncover (black garbage bag) it & put it outside. I was shocked to see that there was about 6" of new growth! It is all a pale yellowish color (the new growth). That poor tree was dying to get some sun I hope it will make it. I broke my back to get it last year. Vinny

Vinny, I hope you put it in shade or you will shock it.
Chops, I repotted last yr & even trimmed some roots as they were leafing out, & it didn't hurt them.

This 70+ degree weather we had the past couple of days really brought some life to my figs. If this keeps up, it should be a good year. I did alot of repotting. It's amazing how much the roots grew. I hope everyones else is doing well. - Vinny