and I'm looking for any advice whatsoever.  The pots can be almost completely sunk into the ground (any deeper and there is a cable that I probably shouldn't cut) and I understand I should drill holes in the sides of the pots, correct?  The soil around the cable is very heavy with clay and doesn't drain well at all, so I don't think I'm going to have problems with the drain holes that are already at the bottoms of the pots.  The top 8" or so is pretty airy dark soil that has been amended over the years for various projects and plantings.  I guess I need to know- how far from the top/bottom of the pot should the bigger holes be drilled?  And how big?

I made blue marks on the pots in this picture to show where I think the holes should be drilled.  Close??  or way off?

Pami,

Not sure what you are doing?

I would drill the holes on all four sides!

That's what I was trying to say!

Well, I put a square of weed-barrier fabric in the bottoms of all my pots before I began planting them- not because of the possibility of roots coming out, because to be honest, I hadn't thought of that yet.  I just always put something in my pots to cover my drainage holes- piece of screen, weed-barrier, heck I've put a coffee filter in the pots where I've planted some annuals before.  I don't think the roots will grow through that fabric?

If it were me, I would do as others have suggested and drill holes very near the bottom on all four sides. I also wouldn't sink the bottoms of the pots more than 2-3 inches below the surrounding soil surface, or it will be harder to cut the roots and get the pots back out of the ground for winter (plus, as you mentioned, the best soil is near the surface, and it's also better-drained). If you're worried about overheating, just pile mulch or decorative bark around the exposed pots and they'll stay cool enough. Since you already have holes in the bottoms of the pots, you can cut a piece of plastic sheeting slightly larger than the bottom of each pot to put underneath it. Roots will still grow out of the bottom holes, but they'll have to travel sideways to get past the edge of the plastic before they can go down, so you'll be able to cut them at the same time you're cutting the roots that grow out of the side holes. Good luck!

Ken, thank you.  I'm really trying to understand and not make any fatal (to my baby fig trees) mistakes.  Sorry if I sound like a first-time mother.

Nothing wrong with first-time mothers! I'm sure your "babies" will appreciate the effort. I only learned last year about partially buying pots (from people on this forum) and it worked great for me--as I'm sure it will for you.

Pami,

Yep, have two square holes dug, need two more, then I get to use power tools!!  May not be a big deal for y'all, but DBF says I can't use them because they have "man-handles".  But I can show him on here where you guys TOLD me to, so he has to let me!!  ;)  Thanks for all your help- will post pictures when I get everything in place. 

Pam,

Do not sunk the pot totally in ground.
3-5,inches is enough.
If you do sunk it totally you make a big mistake,but it is too much to explain,so I won't do.
Drill holes at Bottom side only.
Plug Bottom holes.

Herman ,
I hope you can get a chance at some point to explain what you mean about making a big mistake by burying the pot more than 3 to 5 inches. I respect your opinion very much , and  haven't seen in your previous posts on the topic that there is a danger in burying deeper.
I am worried that I have misdirected people who have gotten figs from me that they can bury their 5 gallon pots right up to the rim if they want.
Does someone else know Herman's thoughts on this if he doesn't have a chance to answer ?
Is it a concern about the pot retaining too much moisture even with holes all over the sides ?
Best ,
Kerry

Here is a link that might be helpful.

Cecil there is great info in that link and it is one of the ones that made me  decide to encourage people up here to follow that method.
I haven't seen any other posts that I recall that says why burying deeper is problematic. 
Thanks for posting that one. 

drivewayfarmer: Most soil in USA,have a clay hard pan,so if the pot is buried totally in ground with the bottom side holes,the young fig get stuck,because the roots  can't penetrate the clay,to come back at the surface where the nutrients are.
Also the hard pan plug the bottom side holes so the rain that falls inside bucket will not drain out and will kill the roots close to bottom of bucket.
These observations are from the last 3 -to four years of Experience.
I found out that 5 inches or less is ideal for the potted plant,it helps with drainage and ,the proximity of nutrients,right outside the bucket,in a straight out direction.
When I first learned about this method,I wasn't told about all these little secrets,so I buried the pot to the rim,ruining my backyard,breaking my back too making such deep holes,that in fact are not needed to be made so deep.
Hope this answered your question."live and learn"

I have been burying my 7-gallon pots for the past 3 or 4 years. The first year I buried them half way and some of the holes were just high there. Came cold and wet fall and it was a mess to dig out the pots. One or two would have been easy to dig out but digging out some 20 pots was a mess. The next year I buried the pot 1/3 and it was a bit easier to dig but still needed good amount of work. This year I buried the pots about 2 to 3 inches deep and if part of the side holes were showing, I mounded soil to cover the holes and the moisture from the hole made the soil stay (unless it gushes out). For a couple of the pots, I put cardboard piece around it to keep the soil in place which I will remove after a couple of weeks. I feel that I will have much easier time digging out this year. I hope so.

Here is what I mean Otawan,i also done just about how you did,so ,I am insisting on 5 inches or less so other people do not have to work so hard like i did ,for no gain.

Thanks for clearing that up for me Herman and Ottawan.
Makes sense to me so I will adjust what I tell folks.

I just got home and read the next batch of replies.  You guys are amazing!  One of you knew exactly how I was going to bury my pots (not sure where I got the idea, but I didn't think of it myself, otherwise I wouldn't have bought four matching pots- why would I need to?  Who would see them anyway, if they were completely buried?) and got the pros and cons already ironed out before I even opened this thread!!  Did I ever tell you how much I love this forum??  

You are welcome Kerry

Got the holes drilled, got the pots in the ground, watered the loose soil around them and now waiting for camera batteries to charge.  Thanks for all your help!