I thought I could manage the fig shuffle.  I was wrong.  Comming from San Diego I didnt realize the scope of keeping plants alive in winter.  Soon I will plant my largest yearlings (3 gallon) in ground PERIOD and come next winter I'll try not to look at them until next Spring.  It's going to be the survival of the fittest, including me. 
I learned my limit of shuffle.  Next winter, yearlings go in the garage, just one move in and one move and out.  NO MORE SHUFFLE if they have break dormaancy early that's their bad luck!  I'm not loving my figs today.  Its tough love from now on.

soni, that has been my process last 3 yrs. they go in when the night temp hits 28 or so. and i pull them out when the night temp is stable at 50 or so. this is the first yr doing shuffle. i want to have figs like martin's. give them lot of sun and warmth outside. give more attention to watering. and it's breaking my back.. not to mention my knee. i'm asking for handtruck this christmas. 

lol   Yes we all want a hand truck for Christmas ..I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you.  My back will never be the same and after yesterrday's shuffle my kips and knees , wrists, hurt all night too.  I'm too old for this abuse. Think about it seriously, do we want to end up in pain or surgery do to fig shuffle? 
I guess you can tell what a painful night has done to my mood.

it's this total insanity called "fig collection". then once we have it.. we want the best out of them.. so we fuzz over them.. look for the best fertilizer.. look for this and that the make them grow and keep 'em healthy. i can see how this can cause medical problems.. along with mental problems. i'm going off on one day trip with 10 hr round trip to pick up some cuttings. then there is another one that i need to plan out for possible 14 hr round trip that i need to some how squeeze in without getting yelled at by my house boss.. oh well. now i'm starting blueberries.. and mulberries.. and pom, and persimmon.. yeah. i think it's more of mental issue. 

LoL Soni

I am going to Home Depot tomorrow for the hand truck

Soni,
 Pain eases greatly once you find personal palate and start downsizing accordingly - takes time.
Some may or may not find that out when the hobby becomes a pita and not so much fun anymore.
Were all different.

Hi Soni
I have 5-4'x4' Dolly's that makes it a lot easier, I put them on the Dolly's in the fall and pull them in and out for the shuffle in the spring.
Vito

   Well guess what? I'm out of that grump and into Yipppieee a new fig!!!.  A very kind member just offered me one I cant refuse and I'm thrilled over figs once again.  
My problem is nothing that a hand truck and a cheap shrink cant cure

@ Pete,  Do you think that we, as a group, qualify for the blue light special with a shrink?

@ Martin,  I think you really nailed it.  I've not had ONE fig yet from all this madness.  I do believe the hardships will be worth it when they start making out figs.


I'm not getting a lot of support for my fig madness.  My son thinks I'll regret having 100+  trees because the fruit will fall and smell and I wont want to go out in the heat to rake them up, and they'll attract wasps etc.    I got some Muscovy ducks that I hope will take care of fallen fruit.  Is fruit drop a problem I havnt considered yet?
Thanks

don't know about the others, but why would i have over 100 trees in a suburb with only 1/3 acre of land? must be something wrong with me.. and there are more coming in.. urgh. and sad thing is.. i can't stop!

Hi SoniSoni,
I'm in Zone 7 and I don't shuffle... You're in Zone 8 - Why do you ?
Honestly, I would give up on figs if I had to shuffle.
So for me it is tough love since the beginning ! And my fig trees are happy with that !

  I'm probaly border line 8a-7b.   I thought I had to shuffle the first year or 2 because the young figs trees will freeze and parish. No?   I'll find out next year if that is true because I will try tough love. 

Dr. Martin can be of help in the shrink department i'm very reasonable.

 Dr Martin,  Physican heal thyself..  lol

Soni Soni be careful im in good with the Fig Gods ! ; )

and here since you never tasted figs off your plants.
Yup the darkside.

All in fun

not that i'm in any was associated with light fig lovers.. 

 

SONI....BULLET....

Check out: "handtrucks2go.com".....4 wheel, platform hand trucks are the way to go.  I bought a 4-wheeler platform, a few years ago.  Saves the sacro, and,... look Ma, no hernias!

The "in-and-out" routine, is a lot easier when wheels are involved.



Frank

Alan its the taste i go by.
Pete lol that skin looks rubbery. lol