First frost today in Georgia too, Herman. Only figs that I have that might finish ripening are Hardy Chicago (since I took it into the garage). Brown Turkey had its leaves pretty well cooked and the last figs probably won't make it.

What is frost?  Couldn't resist. ;-)

Last two Hardy Chicago picked today, shriveled, very limp, and DELICIOUS!
They sure didn't look like much from the outside, half green and half purple-black.

We really haven't had any hard freezing here in CT yet. A few cold mornings. Today was 60 degrees. My neighbor has his fig tree all tied up with a pipe on top but not covered yet...still too warm. I took some of his trimmings. Some are still green.

Peg 

Sorry to bring up a sore subject, but it was sunny and 84 degrees in SD for the third day in a row. It really is time for all of you to move west. ;-))

Frost (white ice crystals) is created when the air temperature drops below freezing
resulting of water vapor in the ( just previously warm) air condensation, freezing
on such surfaces as the ground or  leaves of a plant.
Frost is soon melted and the moisture dried by the morning (somewhat hot) sun.
However, frost damages plants because the water
inside the cells of a plant freezes and breaks the cell walls. That part of the plant
will die (unless hardy enough).  Figs do survive this well.

Currently, all my outside figs were hit  by the recent hard NJ frost mentioned by
Herman. All the lush green fig leaves suddenly turned into a dark green mush and
should/will soon fall off. This is OK; the figs will go into a normal dormancy.
Above 20*F (rule-of-thumb), there should be no above ground fig damage
(wood/tips/buds). It has also been touted, that underground fig parts (roots)
may can withstand 10 - 5 *F,  ready to spout new shoots, next spring if necessary .

P.S. Water is the ONLY  thing I know of that expands just before solidifying.
Others contact (get smaller/denser). Water is quite unique for life here on our
good Earth. Think of the ponds/lakes with frozen (floating, lighter) TOP ice,
thus protecting/insulating all the rest of the  water and live (possible starter)
 creatures  underneath, AMAZING indeed....

George (NJ).

Herman2,

how do you protect your fig trees in winter?  or is the reason
you had so many to freeze because you do not add any
protection?

jon, 

if we all move to california, it might fall in the ocean
after all.  i rather enjoy the fresh winter air when it isn't
too cold.  having a nice, warm hoophouse to retreat to
during the day is pretty nice also.  seeing all the green
inside when everything outside is brown is quite nice.  by
the time the end of summer gets here, i am ready for a
break from constant outdoor growing.  winter is my vacation
of sorts, especially since i can enjoy a lawn chair in the hoop,
absorbing some sun before picking a fresh salad for supper.

elizabeth

Elizabeth:I had many frozen,because i have more than "Many figs"
When you have more than 50 figs in your backyard let see,how you will protect all of them!!!!!