I am in Zone 5a. A week ago I was surprised by the sudden forecast change from -4C to -9C  (24F) . All my plants were still outside in the open because many of the fig plants for whatever reason had refused to go dormant. It alarmed me to leave the plants outside at such low temperatures. It was cold, windy and wet ground (luckily rain stopped) and no help available about 2 hours after sunset .

So,  I dressed warm as we do in Ottawa winters and set out to bring in to the garage some hundred plants. I brought a few pots  inside making the pot stand up but then realizing the ratio of available space and the number of plants., I made a hurried decision that in order to complete the job before getting hypothermia I must bring in and dump the pots on their side with branches laid horizontally lying down on top of one another and that is how I started and completed the storage ignoring tangling of branches (to be worried about in the spring 2014). This also helped in storing more plants in relatively small space.

I initially felt relief that I did what I could do under the circumstances to avoid freeze damage since the following night again the temp was -8C.

Now the question is if the plants will make it safe (healthy) lying this way on the ground on top of each other with many having frozen green leaves and unripe fruit on them (because that was not an occasion or time to remove leaves or unripe fruit). It was too hectic.

I am not worried about not watering until spring because I never watered them in the previous years when the pots were standing up vertically and had enough moisture in the pot soil.

Also, I am thinking that I can put a tarp on the plant heap for more insulation and avoid air-chill when garage is opened for taking out garbage to the street curb. This may, to some degree, mimic  Adrianos horizontal storage of fig plants in buried wooden boxes in Toronto suburbs.

If it works OK (truth to be know only next spring), then I guess it will save space, efforts and less energy consumption. We have a couple of months with outside temperatures -20C ~ -10C (-4F ~ +14F) in the deep winter.

What do you think can go wrong in this set-up and needs to be avoided in the future (other than removing leaves& fruit which I will have to remove then)) ?

Akram...I think you solved your most threatening problem by getting those trees out of freezing temperatures...as far as the "new" method of stacking and storing your plants, I have found over the years that it is virtually impossible to kill an 'established' fig tree...many of my potted trees have been subjected to some serious abuse, both unintentional and also through my own neglegence, including improper storage, over pruning, freezing conditions, lack of winter watering, just to name a few...and in spite of all that, come spring time, they just shake it all off and come back to live and produce another year...in your case the fig trees are 'inside' already, and any additional protection that you deem necessary can only help.....Good Luck, and enjoy the upcomming holiday season.  

Being in Florida I have no clue on the storage but just wanted to say I admire the dedication of those in the cooler climates and what they have to do to grow these plants.  

My only concern would be that you could have a slightly warmer spell (is that likely in your winters?) and the pots would dry out.  Without standing the pots up you have no way to 'fix' dry potting mix.

Are all your pots the same size? I have gotten away with putting smaller pots on top of bigger pots in pyramid fashion. I was able to save a lot of space doing this. It sort of makes watering easier too.

Have you watched the video that figaro posted? The speaker describes a technique quite similar to what you are explaining. I believe it is in a sort of root cellar though.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/growing-figs-in-cold-weather-6594824

You did well!