Susie, For extreme weather see this:

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/figs-new-england

thanks, sas. i guess i can do that, but i hope that's overkill.

i shall not lose trees !

I hope that you don't. You could use some hay and burlap to wrap the tree for minimum protection.

actually, that's better. it  doesn't sound minimal to me.

How far are you from Alcalde, NM?

The University of NM always have some great workshops.

Here's one coming up in Abiquiu.
http://newscenter.nmsu.edu/Articles/view/10255/nmsu-extension-to-host-fruit-workshop-in-abiquiu

i never heard of alcade. it's probably in the fig-friendly part of the state.

thanks for the tip, but unm is 250 miles from me.

Wow! I'm flying there in the AM, I did not want to drive 700 miles. They have this http://rsvp.nmsu.edu/rsvp/grafting
But it is closed as they can only take 30 people. They usually have two events per year. one in the spring and one in the fall.

Then Saturday I will be there: http://williamson.agrilife.org/files/2014/03/Central-Texas-Pecan-Field-Day-flyer.pdf

I hope that it will be warmer than you think this weekend.

it better be. i'm gonna plant figs for an easter prezzie to me.

today i put 2 roses in the ground n even a unknown cutting, just for fun.

i have decided that the insane weather is over.

it shall be as i spake.

I think desiccating winds kill as much wood as cold, maybe more.

there are always high winds here. i've triedto create a micro climate. the area is surrounded with a 6' high wooden fence.

it took 6 months plus tons of cash, but i havethe winds beat.

I've been thinking of going this route  http://www.bensoninstitute.org/Publication/Manuals/Walipini.pdf  It kind of gives a whole new meaning to "in ground".

grey, when i click that, it says PAGE CANNOT BE FOUND.

Hi Susieqz,
What are your low temps ?
I tried this last winter something that make sense to me :
I keep my trees small . This means under 2 meters - that is the only way you can protect them IMO.
I tie them branches to the center of the tree.
I then push a dark 80 liters trashcan over them - that trashcan is with removed bottom.
I then fill the trashcan with compost from a nursery - that compost will be used at spring time around the tree to give the tree some nutrients .
I put two stakes around the tree/trashcan - and I put the bag from the dark bag with inside out from the compost over the stakes.
This prevents water to go inside the compost.
Voilà Madame !
I'll make a post with photos with this technique - although the last winter was mild so still not rocket proofed - but I think this one should give good results ! So I'll stick to it for the next years.
The two main ideas are that the dirt keeps the roots when the trunks go die-back in no protection mode and also that the dark color attracts/holds sun-heat .

that sounds like a great idea, jds. my lows here go below zero [-18c].

please do post your idea.

my summers  are long, very hot and dry. any figs that live will give great figs.