- When trees are small, you can wrap them in polyester frost blankets to protect them from frost damage. This is simply impractical for adult trees, but young trees that are planted in the ground will benefit from it. Lay a few inches of insulating mulch around the base of the tree to protect the roots from freezing. Be sure to remove the tree wrap once the weather begins to warm.
- Four Winds Growers recommends withholding water from your fig in the early fall to facilitate dormancy and allow the plant better protection during the winter. According to Four Winds, a fully dormant fig tree can survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to mulch around the base of a dormant tree to provide that extra warmth. It also helps to locate a tree next to a south-facing wall that retains heat during the day and radiates heat to the tree.
- Growing figs in pots is the best way to ensure that they don't suffer from cold damage. A 15-gallon pot is easy to move into a sheltered location in the winter and then back outdoors in the spring. In addition, a root-bound plant may produce more fruit than a tree planted in the ground whose root system is boundless.
- Sheltering potted trees is critical for their winter survival. Put potted figs in an unheated garage or a shed. These locations are best because the temperature doesn't fluctuate too much; it stays at, slightly above or slightly below freezing. Even outdoor trees can be protected if they are grown in a walled-in area or someplace protected from the coldest drying winds.