Hard to get enthused when all the figs are hiding in the garage, trying to stay warm.  Today I opened the door and looked closely.  Mercy!!!!  Big fat buds on the ends of stems, brebas breaking out on the Bayernfeige Violetta.    Even a little stunted-in-a-too-small-pot Chicago Hardy has figs starting on it.  One of my two unknowns is covered with the little bumps all up and down its branches.  Would it not be a surprise if an unknown fig turned out to be the best suited for my area????

I can hardly wait to uncover my in-ground figs, but there is no way I am going to repeat last  year's "early uncovering" mistake.
Ox

Hey there Oxankle,
its a great feeling kowing a new season has started, im glad things are off on the right foot for you and hopefully good weather keeps em going well.
Best Health

Here, the season is just ending with the Shtawi getting ripe. Picked these Saturday.

Hi Jon,
your season is just ending, im curious by you when does it start .
It's a little different to imagine someones season ending at this time of year.
Are your plants going to go into dormancy for a short period or is your weather you think going to prevent that.

Martin,

This is the end of the last season. Our new season started about 5 weeks ago. They just overlap a little. Several plants still have some leaves from last year, and have new growt4h sprouting as well. This particular variety is supposed to ripen around Christmas, but took its sweet time this year.

To me Jon that type of season is hard to phantom but of course climate here is so different.
Truly your in a land of paradise for fig plants as you have mentioned.

Martin,

Right here in your home state earlier on I-57 at M.M. 08 I saw hundreds or some yellow bulb flowers ( not tulips ) just off the freeway. Just can't think of their names.

I wish I knew ahead of time so I could have taken some pictures. They snuck up on me while I was rolling at 65 mph. Just couldn't slam my breaks for them, Maybe next time.

The yellow flowers are most likely daffodils.  Mine are late; they usually come in Feb. but this year they are just now showing up.  The yard is alive with them.

Willow trees are blooming here, glorious green but all catkins, not leaves.  Still nearly a month away from green-up but the figs are coming alive in the garage and my little potted peach trees have a leaf or two showing.  Roses are sprouting leaves, but they will do that even in cold weather. 
Ox

Hi Rafed,
Ox is right .

I have already started putting non dormant plants outdoors during the day and indoors during the night. Its been nice here in toronto recently and tomorrow will be in the high 60's wich is great for this time of year.

Hi Nelson
Yes, it looks balmy mid-March just like a few years ago when we had 25C (77F) for week in mid-April and I planted home grown tomato seedlings which a week later got buried in 10" of snow. I am going to play it safe here in Ottawa and do the cleaning chores in the garden, raspberry pruning and make room in the garage when Ottawa weather permits bringing figs out. I have brought out Pastillier (unknown) to the garage to warm up the pot soil. Anticipation is part of the fun. I believe Toronto has two to three weeks extra growing time on both sides of the growing season.

I have a clematis with more than 1 1/2 feet of new growth. crocuses have been blooming for days and daffodils aren't too far behind. 

zone 7 winter if the temps hold out.  I've still got chard and brussel sprouts in the garden looking pretty good (the chard will likely be pulled or at least moved, but the bs's will be left in place, hopefully I'll get an early harvest!

~Chills

LOL, Guys and Gals:
After a week of pretty good weather, three absolutely beautiful days, we are to get cold rain and probably snow tomorrow and Sunday.  I moved everything, all my fig cuttings and garden seedlings back indoors for the weekend.  Figs in the garage are showing big fat buds, the plum trees are budding out, an oriental pear is trying to bloom---NOT YET, NOT YET, wait another week or so!!!!

I tilled the garden twice this week, put in potatoes, daikon, bok choi, lettuce, mustard, green onions and peas.  All that can handle a little cold since it will not be up for a week or more. 

The figs in the garage are waking up; more and more brebas putting in an appearance. 

If anybody in a cooler climate has space to plant some broccoli rabe for me... ;)

James;  I eat broccoli regularly but have never seen the seeds for broccoli rabe.  My sister says that when she lived in NYC it was everywhere, pick and come again, a long season broccoli.  She has tried to grow it in Austin but has not reported a lot of success. 

Perhaps some our Italian friends here can enlighten us.
Ox