For several year I grew primarily three figs in south central NH, Hardy Chicago, and English Brown Turkey (Burnt Ridge). The figs were grown in ground but dug up October-early November and placed in the cellar in 32 gallon trash cans with a soil mix. It sort of worked most of the time.

A few years back I move the trees to our home on outer Cape Cod thinking the milder winters would be better. They survived in ground but didn't ripen fruit due to limited direct sun of 4-5 hrs and the cool summers, not getting very warm till late June early July.
Finally the voles ate the roots in the winter of 2013 killing the trees.
I did get cutting from each to take and planted them on the Cape last spring.
This past winter on the outer Cape dropped to 0°F with lots of snow starting late Jan. The Hardy Chicago died to the snow line but the EBT died close to ground level.
Looking for info on growing figs on outer Cape Cod I found the attached article  but what was impressed me was the tree shown in the video.
http://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20131001/News/310010340

thats interesting info. I seen a similar video before showing the in ground trees being uprooted and baried in shallow trenches before winter and trees survived harsh winter. Once you get the trench dug it will be easier each winter to re dig same spot. Give it a go with a small tree to try it out. I live in Louisiana so i cant test this. Richie

last summer was not a good 1 for fruit prodution, too many cool summer days. I work in worcester and see numerous trees that are wrapped with hay, burlap, and then plastic, and they seem to do well. So do the ones that are buried, but not many people have a bobcat to do all that digging