I have checked my local nursery, and they don't have smaller fig plants available.  If I buy from Edible Landscaping, they do have the smaller plants.  I actually like to raise plants from small size/seeds, because to me it makes the end product seem better.  With that said, I have some questions:

Should I buy the 2, 3, or 4 inch potted plants from E.L.?  If not, why?  If yes, is there a problem getting them this time of year?  They ship all year round apparently.

Any idea how long an average fig plant would take to fruit from this size?  (zone 8b)

Can I be reasonably sure I'll get the type plant I'm ordering?  I ask because I don't know the characteristics of the different fig plants, and I'll be relying on E.L. to ship what I order.

Thanks!

I can't speak to that, but Wellspring Gardens in Florida sells tiny trees from tissue cultures of several varieties at reasonable prices.

I've had a fig tree fruit from cutting in its first season. But it is not the rule and is not something to aim for. During the first three years focus on taking care of your plant by providing it with the proper nutrients and adequate watering etc.. With certain varieties you might not see any significant fruiting before several years.
There is always a chance for a variety to get mislabeled at the source.

Thank you Llamalady.  I didn't know about Wellspring Gardens, but they seem perfect for what I'd like to do.  Sas, I think I'm going to try avoiding cuttings for now, but I definitely agree about the focus on those first years.  Hopefully I get varieties that don't take too long to fruit!  

I agree with Sas, some will fruit first year with good care, but most likely just to be on the safe side I would say count on 2 seasons before fruit, and rarely it might take 3 seasons depending on the cultivar.  

From what I'm seeing even a few renowned  slow growers, like for example Figo Preto, want to put on figs first season from cutting, but fast growers such as Kathleen's Black are showing no signs of figs even with 2 seasons of growth...but the seasons not over yet.

In answer to your other question, if you don't want to start with cuttings, I would get the largest size your comfortable with so you have the most roots and hopefully healthiest start, so at least 4" size, which is essentially a rooted cutting.  I have found those figs that are slow growers to start will generally stay slow growers.

I have never ordered from there, the only caveat I can see with a smaller pot is smaller shipping costs, that's it no other advantage.  I would ask them which cultivars they have that are known to be the most precocious.

"If yes, is there a problem getting them this time of year?"  Heat during transport maybe?

Edible Landscaping is a reputable nursery. I've bought stuff from them several times, and it's always arrived well packaged with healthy plants. I got my Hardy Chicago and Celeste from EL as 1(?) gallon plants relatively early in the growing season, and they bore some fruit the same season.  I'd think anything smaller than that would most likely start fruiting in the second season.

Depending on how many and what type of plants you're getting, you might want to look around your local nurseries. EL has a $15 minimum shipping and handling fee. If you were just getting 1 or 2 small plants of readily available varieties, s&h costs are going be a big chunk of your cost and you'll have to trust that the plants will survive shipping in the summer heat. In those circumstances, it might make more sense to buy a plant locally.

GreenFin-

Thanks for the information about tissue cultured trees. I did not know anything about them. I was just having a difficult time finding Violet De Bordeaux at the time, and I found it at Wellspring via Google search. They are tiny plants for sure, but every one I bought seemed extremely healthy, and it was the best packing I have ever received via mail order. Mine are still small, because I bought them last year. Now I will be watching them more closely and possibly checking out Edible Landscaping.

Update: just checked and only one of my TC trees is growing a fig. I don't understand why a nursery would sell a tree that is never going to fruit. Is this a proven fact?

"I recommend that you avoid the cheap-o tc's and get yourself something that is more likely to produce well for you, like a 1 gallon plant from Jon (Pitangadiego) or HarveyC or some other trusted member. Their plants are grown from cuttings of their own productive trees, and are likely to produce early and well for you."

I tried buying from Jon. There is no store on his website and he dosen't reply to emails. Harvey specializes in rare fig plants that command prices that are out of reach of all but the most serious collectors.